The official China Daily newspaper said yesterday that Yao's 2.3m bed from the Olympic Village will be just one of the items in an auction of Olympic memorabilia.

Online bidding started on Wednesday, the newspaper said.

About 200 items of furniture such as coffee tables and closets from the village have already been listed.

The auction will include sports equipment, electrical fittings and even pieces of land.

'This is not the first time Olympic organisers are auctioning memorabilia,' Mr Xiong Yan, president of the China Beijing Equity Exchange, was quoted as saying. 'But, as far as I know, this will be the biggest.'

He has been authorised by the Olympic organisers to sell the items.

Auctions will take place after the Olympics in August and Paralympics the month after.

Mr Xiong added: 'We will highlight items (like Yao's bed) to bidders. Obviously, the bidding will be hot. People will be looking for memorabilia.'

Officials have said previously that Yao - who stands at 2.26m - and other especially tall athletes will sleep on special, extended mattresses.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE