Yao calls on China to become more courteous for 2008 Olympics
Friday, October 20th, 2006
by John
You’ll have to learn Chinese for best conversing with Yao.
I love how Yao is using his celebrity to make statements on various topics, like not eating sharks’ fin soup. In this story, he wants his fellow countrymen to show courtesy to visitors during the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
This is nothing new for people from host Olympic countries to ask their fellow citizens to be more welcoming of visitors for the Games. I remember during the 1984 Olympics in LA and 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, city leaders asked local residents to stay off the roads to prevent traffic jams. And during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, the Mormons were asked not to proselytize visitors to their religion.
There are countless other examples of these kinds of recommendations being made. So anyone who thinks Yao is overstepping his bounds needs to keep things in perspective. After all, these statements were part of a 2008 publication released by Olympic organizers.
I love how Yao is using his celebrity to make statements on various topics, like not eating sharks’ fin soup. In this story, he wants his fellow countrymen to show courtesy to visitors during the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
This is nothing new for people from host Olympic countries to ask their fellow citizens to be more welcoming of visitors for the Games. I remember during the 1984 Olympics in LA and 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, city leaders asked local residents to stay off the roads to prevent traffic jams. And during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, the Mormons were asked not to proselytize visitors to their religion.
There are countless other examples of these kinds of recommendations being made. So anyone who thinks Yao is overstepping his bounds needs to keep things in perspective. After all, these statements were part of a 2008 publication released by Olympic organizers.
Yao throws down a dunk Wednesday night against Milwaukee. Although he missed 7 of his first 8 shots since he’s trying to get back into playing condition, Yao finished with 22 points and 7 rebounds in 28 minutes in a 111-97 preseason victory. 
