Full transcript of Yao Ming's statement

姚明：大家好，各位領(lǐng)導(dǎo)，各位來賓，各位好，謝謝大家今天的光臨。

Hello everyone, leaders, guests, and friends from news media, good afternoon, and thanks for coming.

今天對我來說是重要的日子，無論對我以及以往的籃球職業(yè)生涯，還是未來個人發(fā)展，都具有特殊的意義。

Today is an important day for me. For myself, my basketball career and the personal growth in the future, it has a particular meaning.

去年年底，我的左腳第三次應(yīng)力性骨折，我不得不離開賽場，半年多以來和很多關(guān)心的朋友一樣，我也是在漫長的期待中渡過，在那段時間內(nèi)心十分糾結(jié)，反復(fù)思考，為此今天宣布一個個人的決定，作為籃球運動員，我將結(jié)束自己的運動生涯，正式退役。

At the end of last year I broke my left foot for a third time. I had to leave the basketball court, and spent the last half of the year waiting, just as many of those who care about me. During that period, I struggled a lot in my heart and thought a lot. Now I am going to announce a personal decision: I am going to end my career as a basketball player and officially retire.

此時此刻，回顧過去，展望未來，我的內(nèi)心充滿感激。

Looking back on the past and right into the future, I am deeply grateful.

我首先要感謝的是籃球這項偉大的運動，為無數(shù)人帶來了快樂，包括我自己。我4歲的時候有了第一個籃球，9歲進入上海市體校，14歲進入上海訓(xùn)練隊，16歲背上我父親當年的號碼，代表上海隊比賽。籃球使我延續(xù)家庭的傳承，每當我看到父母欣慰的眼神，都感到無比自豪。我也非常榮幸有幸能夠和上海大鯊魚的隊友為上海贏得2002年CBA冠軍，和我們身后這座城市聯(lián)系在一起。同一年在進入NBA之后，籃球引領(lǐng)我進入更寬廣的舞臺，使我盡情展現(xiàn)自己。我更要感謝能有機會為中國國家隊奮戰(zhàn)十年，那是無數(shù)青年人的夢想，同時因為籃球，與心愛人的結(jié)緣，建立美滿的家庭，獲得一生的幸福。所有這些都是無比熱愛的籃球帶給我的，我要感謝籃球。

First I'd like to thank basketball. This great sport has brought joy to so many people, including me. I had my first basketball when I was four. I entered the Sports School of Xuhui District of Shanghai when I was nine and entered the Shanghai Basketball Youth Team at 14. At 16, I began playing for Shanghai Basketball Team, wearing my father's number.

I inherited my family's tradition by playing basketball. I feel so proud every time I look into the eyes of my parents, who are proud of me.