Yao Ming: Pay attention to the performance of Chinese players such as Wu Dajing and Gu Ailing in the Winter Olympics

Beijing, 17 Jan (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Winter Olympics are getting closer and closer, and the world's attention to the Winter Olympics has also risen to a new height. On the 17th, Yao Ming, chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, participated in the "Linjia No. 7 Salon" and "World Winter Olympics" theme afternoon tea activities, and exchanged information about the Beijing Winter Olympics with media from all over the world.

Yao Ming said that as a southerner, he is very fond of and yearning for ice and snow culture. "Personally, I'm looking forward to going to the ice hockey game, because for some reason, the NHL players won't come, but the game will still be wonderful." Yao Ming said.

Yao Ming said that he is very concerned about the performance of Chinese players such as Wu Dajing and Gu Ailing in the Winter Olympic Games, and regrets that many players cannot participate in the Winter Olympics for various reasons. "In my opinion, participating in the Olympics is a wonderful life experience, and if you get a medal, it is an additional reward." Yao Ming said.

Yao Ming was deeply involved in the bid process for the 2015 Beijing Winter Olympics, and since then, he has often cheered for the Beijing Winter Olympics on various occasions. For the experience of participating in the bid for the Winter Olympics, Yao Ming said: "When I was first invited (to be the image ambassador of the bid), I was indeed a little hesitant, first of all, I am not an ice and snow athlete, someone will be more familiar than me, I later understood that (the bid for the Winter Olympics) needs someone familiar with everyone to do an introduction, so I feel very honored." ”

Yao Ming compared such a sports event as the Winter Olympics to a temple fair, which is more conducive to exchanges between everyone at special time nodes and special occasions. "I personally feel that the relationship between countries and countries, regions and regions is the same as the relationship between neighbors. Sports events, cultural events, just like a temple fair, we will celebrate something, the City God Temple Temple Fair I often go to, even the neighbors who usually quarrel will nod their heads when they meet there. ”

Some foreign media asked Yao Ming what he was most worried about when he was at the Winter Olympics, he said: "The biggest worry is that the weather is too cold, and it will be cold when watching the game, but what I am most looking forward to is also getting cold, because this is called the Winter Olympics." ”

The goal of "driving 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports" has been achieved, and ice and snow sports in southern China have also been carried out in full swing, and Yao Ming also has his own expectations for the future development of ice and snow sports in the southern region. "Beijing has a Shougang big jump, if you build one from the Oriental Pearl, it should be good." Yao Ming said. (End)