More than 10 years after he left the school, Yao, now a towering
2.26-metre basketball superstar in the NBA, had his dream come true as the
Chinese Olympic delegation announced on Monday he would be the flag bearer of
China at the 2004 Athens Games.
China's basketball head coach
William Harris (L) shares a laugh with centre Yao Ming during a practice
session in Athens, August 12, 2004. China is scheduled to play Spain on
August 15 for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
[Reuters] |
"I am very excited, it's a long
dream come true," Yao said yesterday upon arrival at the Athens airport with the
Chinese men's basketball team from Lithuania.
The flag bearer and raiser in school were chosen by teachers, to whom Yao was
not a favorite.
"I waited for five whole years as an elementary school student, but I was
never picked," Yao said.
"I hate that teacher! No, no, no, just kidding, just kidding," he quipped.
"Seriously, the teacher's decisions were understandable," Yao said. "My
academic performance was so-so and I was quite ordinary in every aspect at that
time."
"Ordinary" is not often used to describe Yao these days. Becoming the first
NBA top draft pick without American background in 2002, Yao has developed into a
star with an international following after two years with the Houston Rockets.
The 23-year-old has won the starting All-Star centre position two straight
years over Shaquille O'Neal and helped the Rockets reach the play-offs in his
second NBA season.
China basketball
head coach William Harris (right) watches centre Yao Ming shoot free
throws during a practice session Thursday for the upcoming 2004 Olympic
Games in Athens. [Reuters] |
His good image on and off the court and popularity all over the world made
him the favorite to carry the flag for the Chinese delegation.
"Yao is very tall and represents positive image for Chinese athletes, " said
Xiao Tian, secretary general of the Chinese delegation. "He played very well in
the NBA and enjoyed a good image both on and out of the court."
"He is a man of integrity and has good sense of humor," Xiao said. "He is the
perfect flag bearer."
Although looking forward to this "historic day" in his life, Yao felt sorry
that he would have no companions when bearing the flag.
"I thought there would be some supportive bearers going with me, that would
be cool, but seems I will be on my own," he said.
Yao would also like to have some time off to well prepare for the "big"
ceremony, but that was not allowed by his American coach Del Harris.
Harris, the first international coach in the Chinese men's team in history,
shook his head with a smile when asked about a possible break for Yao.
Less than three hours after his arrival at the Athletes' Village, Yao went to
the Helliniko Olympic Complex to train with the team.
Anyways, Yao's dream will come true when he wakes up on
Friday.
