The David Beckham of China
Yao Ming is the David Beckham of China. Stay with me here.
One of his country's best players in his given sport? Check. Yao is probably without question the best his country offers, Beckham, if match fit, would probably be welcome in the England squad even at his advancing age.
An international icon? Check. Yao plys his trade in the US and is marketable around the globe. Beckham, well, the exact same thing applies.
Somewhat hard to listen to when he is speaking English? Check. Yao because it's not his native language, Beckham because he's a little squirrelly.
Married to a star in his respective country? Check. Yao married a Chinese National Women's Team star, Becks married a Spice Girl.
Injured, leaving a nation to pin their hopes in an upcoming international competition on his recovery? Check. Yao hopes to play, Beckham never really recovered in time for the 2002 World Cup, though he played as well as any of his teammates in that event.
The fact remains that China, like England in 2002, probably fancies its chances a bit more than is realistic. Yao's injury won't help the team, but even a fully fit Yao wouldn't push China into gold medal contention alone. It would take something like playing in their home country, having fantastic fan support, and getting Home-court calls from referees for China to make a lot of noise in the summer Olympics.
Hey, wait just a minute...