Yao Ming invites Liu Xiang to join long-distance relay race team  

姚明邀刘翔跑长距离 称跑步可与三大球并驾齐驱

日前，由姚明发起的“2014要跑-24小时城市接力赛”在龙湾国际露营公园展开。姚明当天完成了3.5公里的任务，他认为跑步是世界的第一运动，在中国，未来跑步的地位有机会和三大球并驾齐驱。被问到再有机会最想邀请谁来加入自己的跑团，姚明说：“刘翔吧，他短跑牛，我想看看他跑长距离如何。” [查看全文]

(ECNS) – Former NBA center Yao Ming says he wants to see Olympic hurdler Liu Xiang's performance in a long-distance run, the Guangzhou Daily reported.

The basketball star launched a 24-hour relay race on Saturday in Beijing. He finished 3,500 meters in the first round and another 3,500 meters in the second round the next day.

Yao said it was the longest distance run he has attempted since retiring in 2011.

Feng Kun, former captain of the Chinese women's volleyball team, along with famous sportscaster Yu Jia and actor Pu Cunxi joined Yao's team, helping him finish the relay race.

When asked who else he wanted on his team if there's another race, Yao said it was Liu Xiang. "I know he's skilled in sprinting. But I want to see how he would do in a long-distance run."

Yao said running is the most popular sport in the world. "In China, it will be as popular and important as basketball, football and volleyball in the next few years," he added.