KUALA LUMPUR: Lin Dan, one of badminton’s biggest superstars, has shocked his fans by admitting to having an affair with a model and actress.
The affair was apparently being conducted while Lin’s wife was pregnant with their first child.
The affair came to light after 'Detective Zhao', a popular figure on Chinese social media site Weibo, posted intimate photos and GIFs of Lin and the woman on the site today.
One of the GIFs showed the pair hugging in a hotel room.
'Detective Zhao' claimed that the photos were taken in October.
Lin’s wife is former badminton star Xie Xingfang. She gave birth to their child, a boy, in Beijing on Nov 5.
Lin is 33 while his wife is two years older.
China’s netizens had quickly identified the woman in the intimate photos as Zhao Yaqi, an actress and model
Following the publication of the photos, Lin took to social media to issue an apology.
In a brief message in Chinese, he wrote: “As a man, I do not make any excuses for myself, but my actions have hurt my family. I apologise to them here."
Lin, known as Super Dan to his fans, is regarded as among the finest players to grace the sport, having two Olympic gold medals to his name.
His rivalry with Malaysia’s Datuk Lee Chong Wei is seen widely viewed as among the most intense in the sport.