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 |
| NBA star Yao Ming's image and integrity have
won him the right to
carry China's flag at the opening ceremony of the Athens
Olympics. (Agencies) |
China is to lead all nations in at least one
category at the Athens Olympics - tallest flag-bearer
.
Yao Ming, the 7-foot-6 NBA star, will carry the flag during Friday's
opening ceremony, leading the Chinese delegation of 407 athletes and 230
coaches and officials.
The Houston Rockets' center was selected because of his character,
Chinese officials said.
"He is a man of integrity
and has a good sense of humor," delegation official Xiao Tian told the
Xinhua News Agency. "He is the perfect one to be the flag-bearer."
Basketball players have traditionally been favored to carry the flag
for the Chinese delegation at past Olympic Games. Former Chinese captain
Liu Yudong assumed the job in
Atlanta and Sydney.
But the choice of Yao didn't come easily as some of his detractors argued that Yao's conspicuous height - even by the standard of
basketball players - might be an eyesore instead of a pleasant picture at the
opening ceremony.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-08-10 11:29