Tags:
Journalism of Courage
After winning a long-coveted Asian Games gold,Chinese badminton superstar Lin Dan turned to the issue of his romance with Xie Xingfang as state media calculated the money he has earned. By beating Malaysias world number one Lee Chong Wei Sunday night,Lin has finally got an Asiad crown to go with his world and Olympic titles.
The match was very tense,as soon as it was over Im trying to relax and you ask me a tense question like this, Lin told reporters when asked about his marriage plans to girlfriend and Beijing Olympic silver medalist Xie. This is a very important question and I will approach this in a very serious manner. Xie Xingfang and I have been together ever since we joined the national team such a long time ago. She is really good for me.
Lins romance to the recently retired Xie has been an intense media topic in China with millions of adoring fans eager to know the couples every move. His response was different from a week ago when he told reporters that he was too young to marry and that marriage is not on my agenda.
No matter if Lin gets married or not,money is not likely to be a problem as the 27-year-old shuttler makes millions of dollars in sponsorships,Monday press reports said.
His ability to attract gold,has all along developed with his status as Super Dan, the Beijing Morning Post said,while the English-language China Daily said Lins popularity in China was only matched by basketball icon Yao Ming.
At the Guangzhou Asiad,Lins face is plastered on advertisments everywhere,ranging from soft drinks,milk,beer and mens make up to clothing and sports apparel,razor blades,fast food and express mail to name a few. According to the Morning Post,he makes between one million yuan ($150,000) and two million yuan for each sponsorship deals that have earned him a spot on the Forbes list of most powerful Chinese celebrities. Following his win Super Dan is likely to make even more,it said.
