Former NBA Great Yao Ming Addresses Peng Shuai, Olympics

Yao Ming, head of the Chinese Basketball Association and Ice Snow Sports Promotion Ambassador, center, smiles during a Linjia 7 Salon afternoon tea with journalists at Beijing International Club in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP)
Yao Ming, head of the Chinese Basketball Association and Ice Snow Sports Promotion Ambassador, center, smiles during a Linjia 7 Salon afternoon tea with journalists at Beijing International Club in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP)
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Former NBA Great Yao Ming Addresses Peng Shuai, Olympics

Yao Ming, head of the Chinese Basketball Association and Ice Snow Sports Promotion Ambassador, center, smiles during a Linjia 7 Salon afternoon tea with journalists at Beijing International Club in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP)
Yao Ming, head of the Chinese Basketball Association and Ice Snow Sports Promotion Ambassador, center, smiles during a Linjia 7 Salon afternoon tea with journalists at Beijing International Club in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP)

Former NBA great Yao Ming said Monday he and others had a pleasant talk when they met last month with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, whose disappearance after making a sexual assault allegation against a former government official raised international concern.

He also said it is unfortunate that Novak Djokovic won't play at the Australian Open because of his COVID-19 vaccination status. But Yao added that he isn’t qualified to judge Australia's pandemic policies.

Yao, who played for the Houston Rockets from 2002-11 and is now president of the Chinese Basketball Association, used stories and humor to deflect challenging questions at a news conference to promote the Beijing Winter Olympics, which open in 18 days.

Asked about China's relations with the US, which has announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Games, Yao likened sporting and cultural events to the community temple gatherings he went to as a child in Shanghai.

“On that occasion, even with the neighbors I had bickered with, I would nod my head (in greeting)," he said. "Then we went on with whatever we needed to do. I think we need more of this kind of temple gathering.”

He also called sports a bridge for communication, saying there are sometimes collisions on bridges, but "we hope we can keep the bridge.”

Peng, who won Grand Slam titles in women's doubles, denied making the assault allegation to a Singapore newspaper on the same day photos of her with Yao and two former Olympians were posted on social media. The photos appeared to be part of a campaign to respond to international demands that Peng be allowed to talk freely about her situation.

Yao said that he has known Peng for about 20 years. The four Chinese sports figures were photographed on an observation deck from where they watched a winter sports exhibition.

“We had a pleasant chat,” he said. "We asked many questions about the game as we were not familiar with snow sports.”

At one point, it was unclear if he said Peng was OK. Some, including the translator for the news conference, heard her say “she was fine that day," but others thought Yao said “we were all fine that day.”

The International Olympic Committee, which has been pressured to move the Games from China because of human rights concerns, came under further fire after IOC President Thomas Bach held a video call with Peng. An IOC statement said that she assured Bach and others that she was well.

Regarding Djokovic, Yao said he is not familiar with Australia’s pandemic measures, “so I’m not in a position to comment if he did right or wrong.”

But, he said, “speaking as a former athlete, I think it’s a pity for a player to lose such an opportunity and for the spectators to lose an opportunity to enjoy watching the player's skills.”



Verstappen Refuses to Be Drawn on Future ahead of British GP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave little away when quizzed about his future. Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP
Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave little away when quizzed about his future. Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP
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Verstappen Refuses to Be Drawn on Future ahead of British GP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave little away when quizzed about his future. Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP
Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave little away when quizzed about his future. Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP

Max Verstappen on Thursday refused to be drawn on questions about discussions with Mercedes and exit clauses in his Red Bull contract when he spoke to reporters ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix.

Facing a succession of questions about his future, following reports in Italy that he had agreed to join Mercedes next year, the Dutchman was polite, but evasive in his answers, stressing that for him it would be ideal to complete his career with one team –- Red Bull.

"I am happy where I am," he said. "There are always rumors, but only one who decides and that is me and the team. I control my own destiny and I am happy and in control of where I'm at."

Sky Sport Italia on Wednesday reported that he had agreed to join Mercedes, sparking speculation that he was set to replace arch-rival George Russell, but the Briton earlier stated he was confident of keeping his seat.

He said he expected to confirm his new contract with Mercedes -- the team believed to be best prepared for the regulation changes next year -- within a few weeks.

"I've nothing to add to last week," said Verstappen. "Of course, other people write stuff and that's great but it's not me... Happy with my team? In life, you can always see other things and think, as they say, the grass is greener on the other side.

"But I think it is best to stay calm and up to now we have had success except for some time this season and this can happen and you have to accept it.

"I know what I have and what we can do and that's fine, but, to be honest, I have nothing to add to last week. I am focused on the team and to improve."

One-team man

Asked if he felt he needed to be in the fastest car to win races and titles, Verstappen said it is "difficult in F1 to be in the fastest car... Who would know that two years ago who will be fastest?

"I don't focus much on it, I just try to improve my own situation and where we want to be next year. If you chase the fastest car now it may not be the fastest car next year. Sometimes you can luck in and then win four, or five or six titles..."

The 27-year-old shared that being a one-team man was an interesting prospect for him, while stating that he had never been tempted to leave Austrian constructor Red Bull.

"I'm gonna say no..." he said on the questioning of ever having felt tempted to take a seat elsewhere in the paddock.

"I don't want more headlines. It would be ideal to finish my career at Red Bull with one team. That would be something amazing and I am still trying to achieve that.

"We are fighting for podiums now and that's not too bad!"

Reports suggested Verstappen's contract contained exit clauses that could be activated if he is not in the top three in the drivers championship at the end of July.

But the four-time world champion bluntly refused to reveal any details about his deal with Red Bull.

"To be honest, I am not speaking about my contract. It's easier like that," he said.