Basketball giant Yao Ming, who carried the Olympic torch in front of Tiananmen Square Wednesday morning, said he "never had the wild wish" to light the flame on Friday.
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Torchbearer Yao Ming holds the torch as he runs through the Tiananmen Gate during the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch relay in Beijing August 6, 2008. [Agencies]
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"I've always felt that type of honor should be reserved for older generations of Chinese sports people. They've stood the test of time, and have a deeper sentiment for the Olympics and Chinese sports," the 27-year-old said during an interview organized by Coca-Cola following his run.
"I think these people are most suitable for such a historic task," he said.
Having taken part in the Beijing relay, Yao will not be able to light the flame at the Opening Ceremony. But the 7-6 footer said he is thrilled enough and already has "way too many expectations" about the Games, a "pageant composed of many, many special elements".
The China-US men's basketball game on the 10th has attracted attention from the countries' top leaders. US President Bush will attend the game. His Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, meanwhile, have each visited the Chinese team and inquired about Yao Ming's recovery.
Yao, battling back from a stress fracture to his foot, thanked everyone concerned about his injury and those medical personnel who helped him realize the dream of competing at the first Olympics in China.
At the same time, the six-time NBA all-star, who only returned to court last month after a surgery in March, tuned down on the Aug 10 game.
"As the host, we ought to take good care of our counterpart, and it's up to you do what ‘take good care' means," Yao told China Daily with a wee smile.
"In terms of techniques, we are indeed not of the same weight level with the US team. But we won't give up the chance. It isn't so easy to compete with a team composed of the best basketball players in the world. (The experience) is a very precious treasure in life," the six-time NBA all-star said.
"Being able to do some contribution to (enhancing) friendship between the two countries is what we're very delighted to see. We are honored in shouldering such a mission," Yao said.
Much comparison has been drawn of the Aug 10 game to the ping-pong diplomacy of 1971, which opened the door to China-US exchanges during the peak of the Cold War.
Yao, who is competing in his third Olympics, also refused to respond to concerns about his Games retirement after the gala ends in Beijing.
"For now, I think we should focus on how to do well on this Olympics, because (the Games in Beijing) has been a dream for us all for ages," he said.
"That I said I would retire if we beat the US team was a joke," he insisted. "I just wanted to clarify how difficult it is to win them."
Aside from the US, Team China's first-round group mates include Spain, Greece, Angola and Germany.
