姚明入选2016NBA名人堂&演讲(同声翻译郑平)姚明演讲全文英文Esteemed Director LiYuyi, distinguished guests, friends in the media：Goodafternoon!Todayis an important day for me. It is a day of special significance for both mypast professional career and future endeavors.Atthe end of last year, I once again had a stress fracture in my left foot andhad to sit out of basketball. Since then, like many friends who cared about me,I waited and hoped that I could return. It was also a frustrating period, manythoughts crossed my mind. Today, I am ready to announce to everyone mydecision: I will end my athletic career and formally retire from the game ofbasketball.Atthis moment, looking towards the future and looking back through the past, myheart is full of gratitude.Firstand foremost, I want to thank the game of basketball. This great sport hasbrought joy to untold numbers of people, including myself. When I was fouryears old, I got my first basketball. At nine, I entered a youth sports schoolin Xuhui district (in Shanghai).I joined the Shanghai Junior Team at 14. And when I was 16 years old, I put onmy dad’s former number, and joined the Shanghai Sharks senior team incompetition. Basketball has allowed me to follow in myfamily’s footsteps. WheneverI see the joy and satisfaction in m y parents’ eyes, I feel a strong sense ofpride. I was also fortunate to win a CBA Championship with my teammates for thecity of Shanghaiin 2002. From that moment on, basketball has connected me with this great city.During that same year, I entered the NBA. Basketball has led me to a bigger andbroader stage to showcase my abilities. It’s a dream for many to play for theNational Team. So in fulfilling my dream, I am especially grateful of theopportunity to play for my country for so many years. And because ofbasketball, I have found the love of my life Ye Li, and a lifetime ofhappiness. Basketball has given me so much and for this, I want to thank thegame of basketball.Ialso want to thank life. No matter if it’s my beloved basketball or otherendeavors. It is all just a part of life. I believe life is like a guide. Ifyou follow him faithfully, he will open doors to wonderful worlds for you.Today, I am retired from basketball, and one of those doors is closed. Butelsewhere, another door is opening and outside that door is a new world waitingfor me to experience and explore。

Eventhough I am leaving the basketball court, I will not leave the game. TheShanghai Sharks team is how my professional life will continue. I am continuingto learn about managing and running the team and will do my best tobring honorand glory to my hometown and to Chinese basketball.Iwill continue my philanthropic work. The Yao Foundation has been establishedfor three years now. I will work with the foundation to influence more peopleto join philanthropic activities to help others. I wish to meet and work withnew and old friends on projects of mutual interest. I believe that throughmeeting and working with people from different fields and professions, I cangain new knowledge and new understandings. Life has guided me from Shanghai toChina,from Chinato the world. I want to thank life and continue to repay my good fortune byembracing and treasuring every moment.Finally,I want to thank the many special people in my life, my family and my friends. Ihave a long list of people. But due to time, I can only mention a few here. Iam missing a lot of names, but I hope my friends will understand. First, I wantto thank my family. My parents were my first teachers in life. My wife, Ye Liis my best friend and best listener. Our lovely daughter, Amy, is our new hopefor the future.Ialso want to thank my coaches. They educated and guided me and have watched overme every step of way. I want to thank my first coach Li Zhangming, coaches LiQiuping, Wang Qun, and Wang Chongguang from the Shanghai Sharks, coach MaLianbao withthe Chinese National Junior team, head coaches Wang Fei, JiangXingquan, Del Harris, and Jonas Kazlauskas from the Chinese National Team, andhead coaches Rudy Tomjanovich, Jeff Van Gundy, and Rick Adelman with theHouston Rockets. I also wish to thank officials and organizations that havehelped me, especially officials from National Sports Administration, city of Shanghai, China BasketballAssociation, Shanghai Sports Administration, the Shanghai Media Group, andShanghai Oriental Basketball Club (Shanghai Sharks). It is through their care,interest, support, and encouragement that allowed me to develop and reach whereI am today. I want to thank the NBA and the Houston Rockets. Theirunderstanding and support helped me overcome the language and cultural barrierto play in the highest level basketball games in the world.Next,I want to thank all of my teammates and opponents. First is Liu Wei. We grew uptogether, played and battled together, and those experiences are some of mymost precious memories in life. I also want to thank Wang Zhizhi and ShaquilleO’Neal. They were the benchmark players that I was chasing after. They motivatedme and pushed me forward, and without them, I would not be the player I amtoday. I want to thank Fan Bin, my friend and mentor on the National team; ShenWei, JiaXiaozhong, Zhang Wenqi, Li Nan, Mengke Bateer, Yi Jianlian, SteveFrancis, Cuttino Mobley, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Dikembe Mutombo, ChuckHayes, Luis Scola, Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry, as well as all of my former teammatesfrom the Xuhui District Youth Sports School, the Shanghai Sharks Junior team,the Shanghai Sharks, the National Junior Team, the Chinese National Team, andthe Houston Rockets, and of course all my opponents in CBA and NBA who I playedagainst. The time we spent sweating and competing will forever be etched in mymemory.Ialso want to thank my management team, “Team Yao”. I want to thank Erik Zhang,Lu Hao, John Huizinga, Bill Duffy, Bill Sanders, Huang Xiaopeng, Li Lu, Ilana,and Larry Zhang, as well as everyone who has worked behind the scenes. I willnever forget everything you have done for me over the years.I’d also like to take this opportunity tothank my friends in the media, my sponsors, and partners. I am honored to haveworked with all of you. Finally I want to sincerely thank all of the fans. Thosewho liked me or those who didn’t, those who are in China, or those abroad, I want tothank everyone who has watched me over the years. It is through everyone’s suppor tthat has allowed me to play with confidence and courage; and through everyone’scriticism that has helped me improve in areasthat I was lacking. For those Ihave mentioned, and for those I have not, you are all in my heart. In short, Iwant to thank everyone who has accompanied me these years. And I will continueto do my best and will continue to be with everyone.Finally,I want to thank this enlightened time of progress that we live in: giving methe opportunities to realize my dreams, and find my self-worth.Ihave once said, when I retire from my professional career, I hope that it is acomma, not a period. Today, that day has finally arrived, but I am not leavingthe sport of basketball that I love. My life will continue. I am still Yao Mingand there are still many things that I wish to accomplish. The day of drawing aperiod is still far faraway.Iwish everyone health and happiness, I wish the best blessings for mymotherland, my home Shanghai, and my second homeHouston. And Iwish that my beloved sport of basketball will continue to have a bright andprosperous future.Thankyou.中文各位领导，各位来宾，新闻界的朋友们：大家好，感谢大家的光临。