News that Yao Ming is suffering a stress injury in his foot which will end his American NBA season has sent shock waves through China.

Yao is the face of the Beijing Olympics, the center of the Chinese sports world, and a national treasure. Even the thought that he may not recover in time to represent China at the Games has the country on edge.

The Chinese blogosphere was flooded with comments from worried fans and Yao supporters. ‘I would rather lose my job or girlfriend,’ read one blog, ‘than lose Yao Ming from the Olympics.’ Another blogger lamented, ‘This is the winter of Chinese basketball.’

At a Houston news conference, Yao Ming said, ‘If I cannot play in the Olympics for my country this time, it will be the biggest loss in my career to right now.’

ABC sports analyst Christine Brennan said, ‘Yao Ming in many ways is a little Johnny Appleseed and a little Tiger Woods and a little Michael Jordan. Put all that together and that’s what this man means to China.’

All the worry may end up being premature.

Doctors say Yao likely faces a three to four month recovery after surgery, which would give him time to recover for the Olympics.

Some have even suggested that the injury may be a blessing in disguise because Yao will have more time to rest before the Games than he would have had he finished the season with the Rockets.
Source: ABC News