Emotional farewell to Carolina Marín

On Sunday, on the sidelines of the European Championships finals day in Huelva, there was hardly a dry eye in the arena. Carolina Marín was honoured in her hometown for her outstanding career.

Of course, she would have preferred to be on court once again in her playing kit – but the consequences of her third knee surgery made that impossible. For this reason, she had already announced her immediate retirement in the week leading up to the European Championships. At peace with herself, she said: “It was the best decision I could make.”

On Sunday, the circle was complete. In the arena where she had started playing at the age of eight and which now bears her name, she stepped into the spotlight one last time. From little Carolina, a girl full of overflowing energy, emerged a player who changed the face of the sport and who, as the only one in the world, consistently challenged Asian dominance. Olympic gold in 2016, three World Championship titles, eight European crowns and many more achievements – including her victories at the Yonex Swiss Open in 2021 and 2024 – reflect her incredible career. That she held the world number one ranking for a long time goes without saying.

The emotional highlight of the tribute – during which the main protagonist herself struggled to hold back tears – came when a gigantic shirt was raised to the roof of the arena. From now on, it will be a lasting symbol of the legacy of an exceptional athlete with an unbreakable will to win. She said her goodbye with emotion: “I gave everything physically and mentally, and today I say goodbye to badminton, to my passion. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Huelva and to the whole world.”

We, too, want to say thank you, Carolina Marín, for all these incredible moments and emotions. We wish you all the best, success, happiness and joy in your next chapter – and we hope to welcome you back to Basel again soon. (mke)