Yao: Playing For China is a Big Honor

In CHINA DAILY, Hu Yinan writes "the longest 13 days in Yao Ming's 27 years of life ended on Wednesday after China lost to Lithuania. That the Chinese men's basketball team could not create an impact in Beijing re-ignited rumors over his retirement from the Olympics. But the NBA star was not ready to answer that question with a straight yes or no. ‘Playing for the country and competing in the Olympics is a big, big honor,' he said in his trademark ambiguous tone. ‘I knew about the Olympics before I learned about the NBA ... playing in the Olympics was my childhood dream.' The Chinese men's basketball team finished eighth, equaling its best Games record of two wins and four defeats, including a heartbreaking loss to Spain. Everyone agrees the team has given an improved performance. For his part, Yao said he was ‘really, really proud' of his teammates, who ‘played with courage and (gave) all they could give.'” (link)