Viktor Axelsen is currently in Finland to compete in the 2021 Sudirman Cup mixed team world championships.
In an exclusive interview with Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, Axelsen recounted the time when was airlifted from Ukraine to Denmark.
Axelsen was tested positive for Covid-19 while competing in the European Championship in Kyiv, Ukraine in May earlier this year.
He was forced to give a walkover to his teammate Anders Antonsen in the final of the championships.
At that time, he had two options in his hand.
Axelsen told Ilta–Sanomat, “I could either quarantine in Kyiv for two weeks or take care of myself at home at my own expense.”
He chose the second option and booked a private ambulance jet to return to Denmark.
It cost him a whopping 20,000 Euros for the private jet.
But it turned out to be the best investment that Axelsen has made in his life.
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Because of his decision to fly back to Denmark, he was able to come back to his home base and take care of his health and fitness instead of being quarantined in a hotel room in Ukraine.
This proved vital when he became the Olympic champion three months later in Tokyo.
Axelsen said, “I don’t think I would have been Olympic champion if I hadn’t made that decision. It was very important mentally and physically to get out of Ukraine and to those who are close to you.
“In retrospect, that flight feels like the smartest investment of my life.”
