Youth Home | Yao Ming Wishes Universiade Athletes to Make More Friends in Chengdu | China | College Students | Athletes
The college sports meet is a grand event of youth and friendship. In 2001, China hosted the World University Games for the first time, and Yao Ming, the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, was a member of that year's Chinese university basketball team. Recently, he gave an interview to reporters, reminiscing about his time at the Universiade, discussing his understanding of the college student sports meet, and giving some suggestions to young athletes who are currently participating in the Chengdu Universiade.
At the 2001 Beijing Universiade, the Chinese college basketball team faced off against the American college basketball team in the semifinals. The competition was held at Tsinghua University, and Yao Ming was deeply impressed by the enthusiasm of his peers. Yao Ming said that it was his first time playing basketball on a university campus, and the atmosphere of campus basketball was very passionate, which was significantly different from his previous experience on professional courts.
When it comes to the value and significance of the World University Games, Yao Ming highly recognizes it. He said that the true purpose of any sports meeting can be considered as "meeting friends through martial arts.". "Young people around the age of 20 who come into contact with young people of the same age and diverse cultures around the world at this stage are absolutely helpful for us to create a better future. Because they are the main force in building a future world," Yao Ming said.
School competitions have their own distinct characteristics, and Yao Ming also has a deep understanding of this. He said that school competitions have a strong sense of reunion after graduation. Because most of the audience on the school field are people related to the school, possibly current students or old alumni, "school competitions are built on the emotional bond of alumni, establishing a culture of competition." Yao Ming believes that this is the biggest difference between school competitions and other social competitions.
Yao Ming also gave his own suggestions for the athletes who are participating in the Chengdu Universiade. "Enjoy life in the Dayun Village, make as many friends as possible, and leave unforgettable memories," said Yao Ming.