Full transcript of Yao Ming's statement

姚明：大家好，各位領導，各位來賓，各位好，謝謝大家今天的光臨。

Hello everyone, leaders, guests, and friends from news media, good afternoon, and thanks for coming.

今天對我來說是重要的日子，無論對我以及以往的籃球職業生涯，還是未來個人發展，都具有特殊的意義。

Today is an important day for me. For myself, my basketball career and the personal growth in the future, it has a particular meaning.

去年年底，我的左腳第三次應力性骨折，我不得不離開賽場，半年多以來和很多關心的朋友一樣，我也是在漫長的期待中渡過，在那段時間內心十分糾結，反復思考，為此今天宣布一個個人的決定，作為籃球運動員，我將結束自己的運動生涯，正式退役。

At the end of last year I broke my left foot for a third time. I had to leave the basketball court, and spent the last half of the year waiting, just as many of those who care about me. During that period, I struggled a lot in my heart and thought a lot. Now I am going to announce a personal decision: I am going to end my career as a basketball player and officially retire.

此時此刻，回顧過去，展望未來，我的內心充滿感激。

Looking back on the past and right into the future, I am deeply grateful.

我首先要感謝的是籃球這項偉大的運動，為無數人帶來了快樂，包括我自己。我4歲的時候有了第一個籃球，9歲進入上海市體校，14歲進入上海訓練隊，16歲背上我父親當年的號碼，代表上海隊比賽。籃球使我延續家庭的傳承，每當我看到父母欣慰的眼神，都感到無比自豪。我也非常榮幸有幸能夠和上海大鯊魚的隊友為上海贏得2002年CBA冠軍，和我們身后這座城市聯系在一起。同一年在進入NBA之后，籃球引領我進入更寬廣的舞臺，使我盡情展現自己。我更要感謝能有機會為中國國家隊奮戰十年，那是無數青年人的夢想，同時因為籃球，與心愛人的結緣，建立美滿的家庭，獲得一生的幸福。所有這些都是無比熱愛的籃球帶給我的，我要感謝籃球。

First I'd like to thank basketball. This great sport has brought joy to so many people, including me. I had my first basketball when I was four. I entered the Sports School of Xuhui District of Shanghai when I was nine and entered the Shanghai Basketball Youth Team at 14. At 16, I began playing for Shanghai Basketball Team, wearing my father's number.

I inherited my family's tradition by playing basketball. I feel so proud every time I look into the eyes of my parents, who are proud of me.