Chinese star Lin Dan will defend his title at this year's world championships after organizers gave him a wild card to raise the tournament's profile, a statement said Thursday.

The four-time winner was handed the only wild card for the August 5 to 11 event in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province because of his "stature and fan appeal," the Badminton World Federation said.

Lin's ranking has dropped to 41 in the world after his eight-month break since winning last year's Olympic Games, meaning he was not eligible for an automatic spot.

"Exercising its prerogative to nominate a wild card entry in each category, the COM (committee of management) determined the 29-year-old's stature and fan appeal would significantly enhance the championships," the statement said. "This was the only wild card awarded."

AFP - Global Times