The world No.1 shuttler known as "Super Dan" had pinned the badge above the Chinese flag embroidered on his T-shirt. It was so small that hardly anyone could see it. "The badge of Chairman Mao (Zedong) was crucial to my success," Lin said.

Lin recalled that prior to 2004 Athens Olympics, the Chinese team had paid a special visit to Mao's old residence in Shaoshan city in Hunan province, where the team was training for the Games.

All the team members paid the visit in accordance with traditional Chinese rituals, except Lin. "Unfortunately, I was eliminated in the first round in Athens, which was an unbelievable loss for me," Lin said.

Lin said he failed in Athens Olympics because he did not pay proper tribute to Chairman Mao and on the trip to Shaoshan before the Beijing Games, he had learned his lesson.

The ace shuttler sprinted to Mao's residence and prayed for protection and luck. He then affixed the badge to bring him good luck.

"I won the gold and my wish is fulfilled. I will go to the place (Shaoshan) again," Lin said. Lin is not the first Chinese Olympian to have worn a Mao badge and emerged winner.