ID :
353621
Fri, 01/09/2015 - 04:21
Auther :

Chinese Badminton Player Under Fire for Japanese Sponsorship

Beijing, Jan. 8 (Jiji Press)--Chinese badminton player Lin Dan, who won gold medals in singles matches at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, has come under fire for signing a sponsorship deal with Japanese sports equipment maker Yonex Co. <7906>. China's national team currently uses products made by a major domestic sports equipment maker, but Lin, nicknamed Super Dan, has entered into a solo contract with Yonex. While some Chinese news media have reported that Lin's decision is a challenge to the country's national sports system, criticism on the Internet has referred to Lin as a traitor due to historical issues and other ongoing disputes between China and Japan. After signing the contract with Yonex in Beijing on Wednesday, Lin said at a press conference that he hopes to win his third gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Yonex sponsored China's national team for many years before the team switched to domestic sports equipment maker Li Ning Co. in 2009. Lin commented on the Weibo social network site that he has finally returned to Yonex. Some of Lin's fans reacted negatively, saying they will no longer support him and that his decision was a tragedy for the Chinese people, but others have posted messages of support. END

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