Yao lifts the spirits of youngsters in Gansu
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China basketball icon Yao Ming inspired a group of intellectually-challenged teenagers from Jiuquan, Gansu province, through his mere presence on Thursday.
Twenty children with disabilities from a local special education school met their idol during a clinic and worked on the fundamentals of the game under the guidance of Yao, who has regularly attended events held by the Special Olympics International as a global ambassador since 2004.
Among all the children, Chen Xiaorong was the luckiest as she received a pair of running shoes from Yao.
"I am happy. Very, very happy," the 14-year-old said emotionally.
Chen will represent China at this year's Athens Special Olympic Games from June 25-July 4, running in the 100m and 200m, and she will be the Chinese delegation's only athlete from Gansu.
"Believe in yourself. I hope you run fast and get a good result. But the most important thing is to enjoy yourself," Yao told Chen while shaking her hands.
During the half-hour training session, the children tried to emulate Yao's every move.
"I am always moved and inspired by their confidence to challenge themselves. They looked so happy while chasing the balls, although they don't understand the rules," he said. "I hope the whole of society will give them more care and support. We should encourage their courage."
Twenty students from the Jiuquan Physical Education School also took part in the session.
"I never imagined I could see him (Yao) in person or even talk to him. I was so excited that I missed an easy basket in front of him. But he just encouraged me. I felt no distance with him," said Ru Fenjie, an 18-year-old student.
Yao, despite still battling an ankle injury, performed a lay-up for his young spectators. The Houston Rockets' all-star center, who has been sidelined by a left ankle stress fracture since last December, took off his protective boot two months ago but can still only jog.
Yao's smooth move marked his first public on-court performance since undergoing surgery to repair his ankle in January. His effort under the rim inspired the local audience, which is keen to see its idol reclaim his prime place on NBA courts.
"I was pretty excited to see him shoot baskets on the court again and am looking forward to his comeback. Hopefully, I can watch him play in the NBA next season," said Ru, who has seen many of Yao's games since live NBA broadcasts reached his hometown in Gansu's rural area in 2002.
Despite his fans' huge expectations, Yao said recently that his ankle was only 30 percent of the way to a full recovery and still needed a great deal of rehabilitation.
The clinic was jointly organized by Special Olympics East Asia and the Shanghai Special-Care Foundation as part of the "Be a Fan" campaign.
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