Text messaging remains the most popular service for China's mobile phone using badminton players despite new gadgets offering fancier applications such as email and gaming. In the Chinese national badminton team less than 20 percent of mobile phone users are utilizing services other than the reliable short messaging system (SMS), or text messaging. Lin Dan, the top-ranked shuttler in the world who also goes by nickname "Super Dan", had once spent over 10,000 yuan (1,250 US dollars) for a week on sending SMS to his girlfriend and world No. 2 Xie Xingfang. "We don't have much time for going out since we have to train and compete," said Xie. "We express our feelings on text messages." Bao Chunlai , currently ranked sixth in the world, has been fighting an ankle injury this season. "I had been sidelined for three months and to kill time, I sent a lot of short messages to my friends and family," he said. Source: Xinhua
I wonder what Lin Dan's salary is to afford spending 10,000 yuan a week just on cell phone. 10,000 yuan x 52 = 520,000 yuan = 65,000 US dollars.
Yes, it's about 1,250 US dollar per week, 1,250 x 52 = 65,000 US dollars per year. Lin Dan must be making at least 6 digit (US dollars) salary to afford that.
Don't they c each other everyday in Beijing?? I thought they stay at the same place..so at least they will still see each other during dinner?? Why send so many sms.... Unless they r apart during competition when 1 is in Beijing and the other 1 is competing elswhere..
nono...the RMB10000 telephone bill was in 2004 Olympic Games, itz becoz XXF didn't enter the China team in OG..she stayed in beijing & LD went to Athens.. when LD lost in OG 1st round, he was so upset & talked to XXF thru long distance call & sms at that time~~ so the bill cost RMB10000.. it will be too horrible if they do that every week for whole yr...hahaha..
Us$1250 is nothing compare to the prize money and endorsements that he has. Anyway Lindan didnt do it every week. After the RMb10000 incident.. he slowed down already.
