Yao Ming, a retired¹ Chinese basketball player, is now the first ambassador² of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

近日，已经退役的中国篮球运动员姚明正式成为了2019年FIBA（国际篮联）篮球世界杯的首位形象大使。

His appointment was announced at a special event on December 4, marking the countdown of 1,000 days to the event.

此次任命是在12月4日举行的一个特别活动--2019年篮球世界杯倒计时1000天活动上宣布的。

Yao Ming has represented China's national team at two FIBA Basketball World Cups and three Olympic Games.

姚明曾经代表中国国家队参加了两次FIBA（国际篮联）世界杯以及三届奥运会。

He spoke³ proudly about the importance of his role as the ambassador for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.

他自豪地谈到了2019年中国FIBA篮球世界杯形象大使这一角色的重要性。

He added in his excitement of China's place in organizing a FIBA Basketball World Cup, saying that it will draw more fans into the sport.

此外，他还表达了在中国举办FIBA篮球世界杯的激动之情，并表示这将会把更多的球迷吸引到这项运动中来。

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on August 31, 2019 throughout eight cities in China including Beijing, Nanjing and Guangzhou.

该项锦标赛计划于2019年8月31日正式开始，比赛地点分布在了包括北京、南京、广州等中国的8座城市。