Yao Ming predicts 2010 medal glory

【趣味英语】春节小知 世界节日（1）Spring

Houston Rockets' Chinese centre Yao Ming expects a medal finish for the nation's basketball team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Yao walks to a car near Beijing's Capital International Airport. [Xinhua]

"I am looking forward to a better result than eighth place at Athens. To win a medal on home soil is our goal," said the basketball icon yesterday in Beijing.

China advanced into the quarter- finals of the men's basketball at Athens thanks to an amazing 67-66 upset over world champions Serbia & Montenegro. It is the second time China has got so far and it was the best result they had ever had.

But Yao is aware that China's basketball team urgently needs more chances to compete with the world's top teams to achieve the goal.

"We have to get used to highly physical competition, so it is important for our players to compete in European leagues or the NBA. Our basketball league should also try and attract good players from abroad."

Yao is encouraging more of his national teammates to play abroad like him.

"The head coach (Jonas Kazlauskas ) told me Yi Jianlian and some other players should go to the NBA or leagues in Europe. I back his idea and I believe they have the ability to compete in higher level competitions."

Yao and China are to face their biggest test yet since Yao came home on Monday after an ankle operation in the USA. This is the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup, which tips off on July 26th.

Joining a group of the world's best teams that feature Olympic gold medallists Argentina, European champions Lithuania, Oceania champions Australia, African champions Angola and the American 1st runner-up Puerto Rico, Asian champions China are expecting a tough challenge.

"China's target is not in Asia. We have set our sights on the world. We will learn a lot through competing with the world's best teams," said Yao.

However there might be a reGREt that the NBA stars of other teams are still in doubt about their appearances in China.

Yao is also unsure his ankle will have improved enough for him to compete.

"I hope I can play. But it all depends.

"I have recovered about 50 to 60 per cent of my fitness.

"If it all goes according to plan, I will have to rest for at least four weeks."

"Year of the Yao"

Yao also brings home fans his first film "The Year of the Yao", which will be screened publicly in Beijing from today.

"The Year of the Yao" tries to give people a look at the man behind the gentle giant during his first season as a pro, with close access to him at home, on the road, in the locker room and trying out North American delicacies like Taco Bell. What emerges is that Yao is a fascinating individual with GREat humour and modesty, as well as the potential to be one of the greats.

But Yao would rather see it as a document.

"I did not intend to act a film or even publish a book about myself at the beginning. I don't feel comfortable doing such thing at such a young age. In China, books are published about martyrs or people's lives. I am not a martyr and I am also not old enough to write the story of my whole life,'

"But the producers changed my mind, telling me it is the best record of experience. After a dozen years, the film and book will offer a more detailed memory. So I decided to do the film.

"But I do not have to act a role according to a script. I just do what I do every day. They recorded my daily life, including training and competition, and then edited it."

When asked if he will go to the theatre to see the film, Yao said it is not realistic.

"It is impossible for me to see a film in public. So I think I will buy a pirate DVD," said Yao, joking. "But I ask you to go and see my film. The more people who go to the theatre, the more money I will earn."

Yao will next appear in the "Basketball without Borders Asia", a charity-themed activity organized by the NBA, which starts today.