BIRMINGHAM: Olympic champion Lin Dan says he does not plan to marry yet in case it affects his performance before he defends his title at London 2012.
Lin Dan, perhaps the most charismatic player in badminton, is said to be engaged to Xie Xingfang, the former world and All-England champion, while he says he plans to retire at the next Olympics.
When the couple both won singles titles at the 2005 All-England, they attracted much publicity by going on a big wheel together in the centre of Birmingham city.
Now the press was keen to know how the Olympics had changed life for him and when the long-lasting romance might lead to nuptials.
“Life has not changed (as a result of winning the gold medal) because I chose to carry on and play another four years,” Lin Dan said.
“Also I have already got a girl,” he went on, referring to the twice former world and All-England champion, Xingfang, “and nothing is going to change that”.
When asked when they were going to get married, Lin Dan caused laughter by saying: “If I get married now, it might change my performance. It might be a distraction.”
