Six years have passed since JO Waldner ended his career.
But a lifetime contract(!) means that the money still trickles in.
– I have almost the same compensation today as I had when I was world number one, I am grateful for that, he says to Expressen.
JO Waldner is undoubtedly one of Sweden’s greatest athletes of all time. His insane track record speaks for itself, and there are few who can measure up to an Olympic gold, an Olympic silver, six World Cup gold and eleven(!) European Championship gold.
“Has a lifetime contract”
Waldner is known as the “Evergreen Tree” and as the one who broke the total Chinese domination. He is still classified as one of the greatest of the pings, and in Sweden he is still a popular profile.
Today, however, he lives a considerably calmer life than during his active days. In a new interview with Expressen, JO is asked where he gets his money from, and he then reveals that he still has a lucrative contract that ensures the money trickles in.
– I have a lifetime contract with the German table tennis brand Donic. I am friends with the owner Frank Schreiner, his father founded the company in the late 1970s, he tells the newspaper.
“Same compensation”
And the compensation doesn’t seem to have changed at all, despite the fact that Waldner is significantly less active today than in his heyday.
– I have almost the same compensation today as I had when I was world number one, I am grateful for that.
And it doesn’t seem like Waldner needs to work himself to death at the company either. He gets a question about how much work it will be.
– 30–35 days a year. There will be some trips to Germany. I market and test new products.
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