PEOPLE – Lin hints at possible wedding before Olympics

“I am considering getting married before the London Games and I am making efforts towards that.”

Lin Dan acknowledged that he was thinking about getting married to long-time sweetheart Xie Xingfang in an interview published by China Daily on Friday on the sidelines of the Hong Kong Open, just one month after telling the media during the Asian Games that it was still not on the agenda.

The Chinese ace had been asked this question at every single press conference he attended and seemed to move the question aside right after his win in Guangzhou, but his latest comments showed he has since thought twice about it…or at least decided to give a bit more to the media.

“Now, for me, there is not only badminton in my life,” said 27-year-old Lin. “I have sacrificed so much to play badminton at the expense of my family, girlfriend and friends. Now, I feel my family and friends are just as important as the sport.“

“I won’t postpone the marriage simply because of the London Olympics,” Lin said. “I have experienced a lot and I know how to do everything,” he added.

The media, however, will not be welcome at his wedding – even if no date has been set yet. “When we get married, I hope the wedding will be private,” he said. “I hope it will be just like those of common people and not the focus of media hype.“

The “when” and not “if” stated above – if translated properly from the Chinese version of his statement – proves that Xie Xingfang will at last get the proposal she had been waiting for.