Yao and movie star Zhang assist Special Olympics

BEIJING - China basketball icon Yao Ming and international movie star Zhang Ziyi visited the China Administration of Sport for Persons with Disabilities in Beijing on Sunday as the national team prepared to head off to the Special Olympics' World Summer Games in Athens.

"It is always fun for me to play with these kids," said Yao, who has been involved in helping intellectually-challenged people since 2004. "They always try their best in sport and inspire the people around them," he said.

"Everyone has defects. I don't' think I'm a very smart player, but I always believe that hard work can make up for lack of talent," Yao said after chatting with the basketball team.