Yao May Become Olympic's First Relay Runner

EGYPT · Mar 31, 2008

TECH said:

Put Yao on a horse and let him go.
Click to expand...

I think his legs would still be touching the floor

he would look like a big guy riding a little bike.

pryuen · Mar 31, 2008

So will Yao Ming be the final torch bearer to light the cauldron at the Bird's Nest during the opening ceremony on Aug 8?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-04/01/content_6580748.htm

National hero hurdler first to bear sacred flame

By Cui Xiaohuo (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-01 07:54

"Liu Xiang is here today? Fabulous!" 57-year-old Hu Shengying shrieked like an excited teen.

The Beijing resident was one of many in the capital who got wind of the news that the country's Olympic champion hurdler was receiving the flame of the Games Monday morning, at the welcome ceremony for the torch relay against the backdrop of Tian'anmen Square.

Clad in a white T-shirt with a red phoenix design emblazoned on his right shoulder, the 24-year-old national sports hero and Athens Games gold medalist stepped onto a platform at about 11:45 am to receive the Olympic torch from President Hu Jintao.

Liu became the first torch relay runner after Hu lit a cauldron and officially announced the start of the round-the-world relay.

Amid the beat of drums that accompanied the pride seen on many spectators' faces, the country's most famous young athlete led three other runners to jog out of the world's largest square, over a 300-year-old bridge of jade and the arch of Tian'anmen, before entering the main gate of the Forbidden City.

For fans of Liu, currently also the world champion and record holder of the 110m hurdles, their feelings Monday were mixed - with their hero in the limelight, does it erase his chances of being chosen as the final torchbearer to light the cauldron at the Bird's Nest during the opening ceremony on Aug 8?

Liu, along with National Basketball Association star Yao Ming, are the nation's favorites to fill the plum role of being the last torchbearer.

Liu was previously chosen as the first torchbearer when the flame returns to the Chinese mainland via Macao on May 4, but he declined the honor because of a tight schedule.

Local media recently reported that Yao was likely to take the place of the hurdler to receive the Olympic torch in the city of Sanya, Hainan province, to launch the domestic return leg of the torch relay. If so, Liu is then left as the most possible candidate to light the flame at the opening of the Games.

However, Beijing media quoted Liu's coach last week as saying that his student was still so busy with his training that there was no room for him to practice lighting up the cauldron.

"No matter which leg I run and what role I play," Liu said, "I am happy with the chance."
Click to expand...

BroadwayBelm · Mar 31, 2008

YAO SHOULD BE THE ONE LIGHTING THE OLYMPIC FLAME AKA THE LAST ONE ala ALI

but no those damn pretentious commis will make the show all about them have the leader light it probably. I'm just being dumb, but yao should be the final one.

ydqkang · Mar 31, 2008

whatever ,it's Yao's honor!!

Chopped · Mar 31, 2008

is the flame coming through htown? If so i nominate Deke. Who's with me?

tsunami · Apr 1, 2008

BroadwayBelm said:

YAO SHOULD BE THE ONE LIGHTING THE OLYMPIC FLAME AKA THE LAST ONE ala ALI

but no those damn pretentious commis will make the show all about them have the leader light it probably. I'm just being dumb, but yao should be the final one.
Click to expand...

you are right for one thing: you are dumb, not probably, but for sure.....

Forums

Yao May Become Olympic's First Relay Runner

EGYPT Member

pryuen Member

BroadwayBelm Member

ydqkang Member

Chopped Member

tsunami Member

Share This Page

About ClutchFans

Rockets Content

Support ClutchFans!