Yao Ming, acting as a promotion ambassador of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, answered questions in a media interview in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 29, 2015. (Photo: China News Service/Du Yang)

"The 2022 Winter Olympics will have a huge effect if it is hosted in Beijing," according to Yao Ming, three-time Chinese Olympian and eight-time NBA All-Star, speaking in Kuala Lumpur on July 28, two days before Beijing makes its final bid presentation, Beijing Youth Daily reported.

As one of the six promotion ambassadors of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Yao has made adequate preparations for the presentation. "Our presentation will be a success," he said. "During the rehearsals, I could feel the power of sports, which touched the hearts of people."

This is a novel experience for Yao. "Inviting a basketball player to be the promotion ambassador for the Winter Olympic Games is an innovation," he said. "I believe Beijing 2022 will also be an innovative event."

According to Yao, Beijing has its unique advantages in hosting the Winter Olympics. "The Games will be held during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), which will offer athletes from other countries a great opportunity to experience traditional Chinese culture.".

Beijing has enjoyed a strong sporting legacy from hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. "We can see how the Olympic spirit changed our life. As the late South African president Nelson Mandela said, 'sport has the power to change the world'," Yao said.

Beijing is bidding for the 2022 Games together with the city of Zhangjiakou in neighboring Hebei Province. Indoor ice sports and games will be held in downtown Beijing, while snow-based events will take place in Yanqing County in suburban Beijing and Chongli County in Zhangjiakou.

The successful candidate will be announced on July 31.

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