Liu Xiang joins Yao Ming as Shanghai image ambassador
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-20 08:44

Athens Olympic gold-winner Liu Xiang has joined another Shanghai native, Yao Ming, as a city image ambassador, today's Laodong Daily reported.

China's star hurdler Liu Xiang reacts as he crosses the finish line in the men's 110m hurdle final at the Seiko Super track and field meet in Yokohama yesterday. [AFP]

In his latest victory, Liu beat four-times world champion Allen Johnson of the United States in a dramatic men's 110 meters hurdles at Saturday's Shanghai Golden Grand Prix to claim the crown.

Liu symbolizes Shanghai's image of fast development, while Yao is the image of stature, the report said.

Their contracts are for two years.

Yao Ming is injured during the 23rd Asian Basketball Championship at Al-Gharrafa hall in Doha, Qatar September 13, 2005. [Reuters]

"Shanghai is my hometown. I've grown up here and been cultivated in the city," Liu said. "It's really an honor and a source of pride for me to be an image ambassador for this international city, where changes are always happening."

"I hope I can, like the city, make progress everyday," he added.

The ceremony naming Liu ambassador, as well as the press conference, will be held after the hurdler returns from Yokohama, Japan. Liu left yesterday for to attend the Seiko Super Track & Field Meet 2005.

Yao become Shanghai's first image ambassador two years ago after he joined the Houston Rockets. Recently, his contract was renewed for another two years.

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