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BEIJING: Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming promised his
countrymen Friday he would do his utmost to recover from a broken
foot that has cast doubt on his role at the long-awaited Beijing
Olympics.
“I will definitely make the greatest effort
possible to recover from this difficulty and don the national
uniform in the best possible physical condition for the Beijing 2008
Olympics campaign,” the Houston Rockets center said in a letter
issued through Chinese media.
On Monday, Yao underwent surgery on the stress
fracture in his left foot, which the Rockets described as
successful.
He is expected to have to wait three to four
months before beginning rehab, leaving little over a month to
prepare for the Games which opens on August 8.
The injury has caused much hand-wringing in
China amid fears that the lynchpin of the nation’s basketball
medal hopes might not be at his best during the Games.
China also had been promoting the globally
popular Yao as one of the key faces of the Olympics.
Yao has said he hopes to be ready in time.
“So far, the operation has been a great
success and soon I will begin physical therapy and
rehabilitation,” Yao said in his letter, seen on the popular
Internet portal Sina.com.
He added that his confidence was buoyed by the
timely discovery of the injury and the top-quality care he has been
provided by the Rockets.
The self-effacing Yao also thanked Chinese fans
for their support, calling it a crucial part of his success.
“You have not hesitated to give me tremendous
support and encouragement, constantly driving me forward. Amid this,
I want to say to everyone: thanks for your concern and support.”
Yao had been enjoying the best year of his NBA
career when the injury was discovered, helping the Rockets on their
way to a winning streak that has since stretched to a team-record 16
games.
-- AFP
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