Olympic Legends - China's big upset in Athens

LONDON (Olympics) - Yao Ming never experienced the joy of reaching the podium in his three attempts at the Olympics.

But he did have moments of pride, and utter relief.

One of those came on August 23 at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

China, the champions of Asia, went into their last game against Serbia and Montenegro on the back of an 89-52 defeat to Italy.

The Chinese, having claimed just a victory against New Zealand after a 39-point explosion by Yao and saddled with heavy setbacks to Spain, Argentina and Italy, had to win their last game against the Blues to advance to the Quarter-Finals.

No one gave them a chance, except for China's American coach Del Harris and his players.

"We are not going to give up our game against Serbia," Harris said after the mauling by Italy.

"They might beat us 40 (points), but we might beat them, who knows."

China, taking on many of the Serbia and Montenegro players who had won back-to-back world titles, stunned the European giants 67-66.

And Yao was incredible.

The 2.29m center carried China on his back, pouring in 27 points and corralling 13 rebounds.

In the post-game press conference, Yao and his close friend, China point guard Liu Wei, sat alongside Harris.

For a coach who had just won the biggest game of his international career, Harris didn't celebrate.

He instead tried to console a stunned Serbia and Montenegro coach Zeljko Obradovic because the Blues, one of basketball’s superpowers, had capped a horrible Preliminary Round with a fourth defeat in five games.

"This is a big shock to me. This is the hardest moment in my career," Obradovic said.

After offering kind words to Obradovic, Harris spoke about the win.

"I've never coached a group of players that I have more respect for to the way they worked and the way they are as human beings as this group of young men (China)," Harris said.

"This is the best win I've ever had."

As for Yao, he focused on the importance of the victory for his country.

"The meaning of the game is not just triumph," he said.

"It is a precious treasure to China's basketball and the young generations."

Yao, always respectful, also paid tribute to his boss.

"I'd like to thank coach (Del) Harris for his contribution to China," he said.   

FIBA