---- Ein Fußgänger geht vorbei an einem Li Ning Store in Shanghai, China, 16. August 2011. Chinesische Athlet Li Ning gefangen Aufmerksamkeit an der Peking 2008 O
--File--A pedestrian walks past a Li Ning store in Shanghai, China, 16 August 2011. Chinese athlete Li Ning captured attention at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as he soared high above National Stadium with torch in hand during the opening ceremony, showcasing Chinas aspirations as well as his own ambitions to create a major global sports-apparel brand. Three years later, Mr. Li has come back to Earth. His eponymous Li Ning Co. - which made a big push into the U.S. by signing high-profile endorsers like basketball star Shaquille ONeal - has watched profits drop. Its also endured an exodus of designers and other employees from its main U.S. outpost in Portland, Ore. Its shares have responded in kind, having fallen 63% this year, far outpacing the Hong Kong markets overall 29% drop. Li Nings troubles underscore the difficulty China has had in creating new global brands to match its manufacturing prowess.
