Source: SOPA Images /Wong Fok Loy
[Saba Sports News] Recently, Olympic champion badminton player Zheng Siwei found himself embroiled in another controversy. Once part of the formidable mixed doubles pair with Huang Yaqiong, he won gold at the Paris Olympics before retiring, becoming one of the most sought-after figures in the entertainment world. Now, Zheng Siwei has sparked heated online discussions due to an appearance on a reality show. It turns out that Zheng Siwei planned to appear on the show “Dad’s Home” with his 3-year-old son. However, even before the show aired, it became a hot topic – not for his sports achievements, but for being criticized for “taking opportunities from ordinary people” and “over-commercialization.” As the first player from China’s badminton world to achieve a mixed doubles Grand Slam, Zheng Siwei’s business acumen was already evident. Before retirement, he launched multiple social media accounts; post-retirement, he founded his own sports brand. Unfortunately, his high-priced products caused dissatisfaction among fans. Some people frankly said that the championship halo cannot be used as a brand premium. Regarding this invitation to a family reality show, some netizens believed he was “profiteering off the heat,” while others sarcastically commented: “Even Olympic champions are competing for the spotlight in parenting shows.”