Games glory propels sports stars to celebrity list
Sports stars are riding the crest of a successful Beijing Olympics to increasingly captivate the Chinese imagination and media attention, with more athletes appearing on this year’s Forbes China list of the top 100 celebrities.
Twenty-two athletes made their way into the line-up this year, up from 18 last year and 17 in 2007, Forbes China reported.
NBA star Yao Ming topped the list with the most media exposure and the highest pre-tax annual income of 357 million yuan ($52 million).
Other Olympic stars, such as gymnasts Yang Wei, Zou Kai and Li Xiaopeng, as well as table tennis player Ma Lin, weightlifter Chen Xiexia and diver Wu Minxia, made their debut in the list this year. (China Daily)
