BEIJING, April 5 -- It was the three-pointer news all of China has been waiting for - NBA star Yao Ming is making a great recovery from injury and is on track for the Beijing Olympic Games. Yao said in Beijing yesterday that the chances of him missing the Olympics "are quite slim."
"My recovery condition is better than expected and I don't feel any pain now," Yao told a news conference.
The Houston Rockets center arrived in Beijing late on Thursday to start a 10-day traditional Chinese medicine therapy hoped to hasten his recovery.
Yao, who underwent surgery early last month in the United States to treat a stress fracture in his left foot, said he expected the traditional Chinese medicine therapy will reduce swelling and bruising.
Yao hasn't decided on a specific treatment, but said he would probably meet the country's top TCM doctors early next week.
"Traditional Chinese medicine has a history of thousands of years in our country so there must be something to it," he said.
Yao, who hobbled into the crowded news conference on crutches, his injured foot sheathed in a protective guard, said his recovery rate was going "pretty well," but he wasn't likely to be back at his best until late June or early July.
The Chinese Basketball Association will send the best medical team to monitor Yao's condition, its deputy director, Hu Jiashi, has said.
Yao's injury was a concern for the Chinese basketball authority and fans alike as it was feared it may hamper the 2.29-meter-tall star player of the Chinese squad from taking part in the Olympics, due to start on Aug. 8.
Yao is China's best-known athlete and has contracts with several Olympic sponsors including McDonald's and Coca-Cola. He is believed to earn about 25 million U.S. dollars alone in sponsorship deals and is being heavily marketed across China in the run-up to the Beijing Games.
The 28-year-old Shanghai native will not engage in any commercial activities during his treatment in Beijing, Sina.com reported yesterday.
He will fly back to the US after his treatment and is expected to return to the national team in late June or July to prepare for the 16-day Games.
China's other key basketball player, Milwaukee Bucks forward Yi Jianlian, is also under a cloud with a wrist injury.
"I hope his condition is fine," Yao said. "His injury will be a big blow for the whole squad if his condition is getting worse."
Yao said he plans to see his fellow players on the national team and talk with coach Jonas Kazlauskas on strategy for the Beijing Olympics.
Bush's speech on the killing of Al-Zarqawi
国内英语资讯:Senior Chinese, U.S. officials discuss economic ties over phone
国际英语资讯:UN officials urge youth to fight against violent extremism
国内英语资讯:Xi: China, Vietnam should value positive momentum in relations
体坛英语资讯:Real go top in Spain after Atletico lose to Sevilla
国内英语资讯:China determined to push forward fight against corruption: Xi
体坛英语资讯:Boris Becker: We choose to win
为让学生睡饱 美国多所中学推迟上课时间
PM Tony Blair's speech to EU Parliament
President Bush's speech on Memorial Day
如果可以,把这些技能加入简历是极好的
Bush's speech on his Iraq visit
美国6500万人在家不说英语 300万说中文
朝鲜大猩猩抽烟上瘾 动作熟练每日1包
Bush's radio address on visit to China and APEC CEO Summit
刘振民副部长在第七届香山论坛第一次全体会议上的发言
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: EU wraps up two-day summit, seeking to solve thorny issues of migration, trade, Ru
一切都会好起来 It Will be Better
体坛英语资讯:Turkey, France win singles titles at European Table Tennis Championships
Bush's speech on Marriage Protection Amendment
美国:未收到菲律宾正式通知
US President's speech on Iraq
体坛英语资讯:Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler predicts bright future for China football
President Bush's speech on securing the border
体坛英语资讯:Ex-Brazil midfielder Doriva quits as Santa Cruz coach
国际英语资讯:Full Text: Joint Statement of China and the Philippines
国内英语资讯:Commentary: CPC leadership key to Chinas success
狗狗的鼻子为什么总是湿的?
你的孩子希望你在社交媒体上停止做这三件事
Reese Witherspoon's Oscar address