Yao and Liu nominated for National Model Worker
(eastday.com)
Updated: 2005-03-28 09:09

Basketball star Yao Ming and Olympic hurdle champion Liu Xiang are among the candidates for the 2005 National Model Worker award, the Shanghai Trade Union said yesterday.

They are also the two youngest among the city's 135 candidates.

Model worker is an honor bestowed on hardworking people who have made contributions to the country.

Yao and Liu were recommended by the Shanghai Sports Bureau.

An official from the union who refused to reveal his name said Yao and Liu deserve the honor.

"Both are world-class athletes," he said. "What's more, they have good characters."

Although yao now does his dunking in the United States for the NBA's Houston Rockets, he returned to help the national team advance to the quarterfinals at the Athens Olympic Games last year.

Yao was the basketball team's leader in an inspirational 67-66 upset over world champion Serbia & Montenegro.

Liu xiang won China's first Olympic gold medal in a men's track and field event during the Athens Olympic Games.

Both earned great honor for the country, union officials said.

This year 135 residents were chosen as candidates - 106 men and 29 women. The candidates represent various fields such as the private sector, hospitals and schools.