Yao Ming keen on bearing flag for China at Beijing Olympics

时间：2007-07-04 03:06:14

（单词翻译:单击）


Yao Ming

Guo Jingjing

 

BEIJING, July 4 - NBA star center Yao Ming is keen on repeating his feat1 of bearing the Chinese national flag at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics next summer, although he expects serious challenge for the honor from Olympic gold medallist Liu Xiang.

 

"It has been a tradition of the Chinese delegation2 since 1984 to have a male basketball player to bear the flag," said Yao, who was here on Tuesday to attend a Coca Cola activity of recommending and choosing 2008 Beijing Olympics torch relay runners. "I don't want to see the end of this tradition when I am still playing."

 

He added, "Even if it would not be me, I hope it would be somebody from the national basketball team. I know it sounds partial, but I do have that little thought in my mind."

 

Yao, the undisputed most famous and influential3 Chinese sportsman before the last Olympic Games, was an unanimous candidate for the flag bearer three years ago. But things changed after Liu Xiang became a national hero by landing the first ever Olympic track and field gold medal for Chinese men in the 110 meters hurdle4 at Athens.

 

"Yes, we've got serious challenges from other teams and players. Top challengers will be Liu Xiang and players from the women's volleyball team," Yao said.

 

The Chinese women, who outlasted5 Russia in an astonishing five-set thriller6 for the women's volleyball gold in Athens, enjoyed considerable popularity in the host country of the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

"There has been no female flag bearer for China in the history, but nothing is impossible," Yao said.

 

Yao has also been considered as one of the favorites to be the last runner in the torch relay who will light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony, but he seemed to be less optimistic than others.

 

"The one to light the flame? Oh, I hardly dare to imagine that," Yao said. "If you have watched past Games, you must know that all those lucky birds who had that honor enjoyed magnificent sports careers.

 

"I still have a long way to go to catch up with them, but I will try my best in the time left for me."

 

In just over 400 days, Yao will start his third Olympic trip on home soil.

 

"The Chinese team's best finish at the Olympics was eighth at the 1996 and 2004 Games, I hope we can go a little further this time," said Yao.

 

Yao will join the Chinese national team, who was playing friendly games in the United States, later this summer.

 



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1 feat 5kzxp     
n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的
参考例句：
  • Man's first landing on the moon was a feat of great daring.人类首次登月是一个勇敢的壮举。
  • He received a medal for his heroic feat.他因其英雄业绩而获得一枚勋章。
2 delegation NxvxQ     
n.代表团；派遣
参考例句：
  • The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
  • We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。
3 influential l7oxK     
adj.有影响的，有权势的
参考例句：
  • He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
  • He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。
4 hurdle T5YyU     
n.跳栏，栏架；障碍，困难；vi.进行跨栏赛
参考例句：
  • The weather will be the biggest hurdle so I have to be ready.天气将会是最大的障碍，所以我必须要作好准备。
  • She clocked 11.6 seconds for the 80 metre hurdle.八十米跳栏赛跑她跑了十一秒六。
5 outlasted 0c30f8ec77eacb5d664fb2516a1b072b     
v.比…长久，比…活得长( outlast的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • I outlasted several downsizings but the last one included me. 虽然我坚持到了最后，还是逃不过被裁的命运。 来自互联网
  • This clock has outlasted several owners. 这座时钟的寿命比它的几个主人的寿命都长。 来自互联网
6 thriller RIhzU     
n.惊险片，恐怖片
参考例句：
  • He began by writing a thriller.That book sold a million copies.他是写惊险小说起家的。那本书卖了一百万册。
  • I always take a thriller to read on the train.我乘火车时，总带一本惊险小说看。

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