奇速英语

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently honored Chinese volleyball icon Lang Ping with the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award. She shared this honor with Cuban wrestling coach Raul de Jesus Trujillo Diaz, making her the first Chinese sportsperson to receive the honor.

Born in Tianjin on December 10, 1960, Lang had a tough childhood due to poor family conditions. Lang’s independent and determined character was shaped during these hard years. Her father, a sports fan, often took her to watch games at Beijing Workers’ Stadium, which planted a love for volleyball in her heart. In April 1973, Lang, then 1.69 meters tall, was selected by the volleyball coach of Beijing Workers’ Stadium Amateur Sports School. This marked the start of her lifelong bond with volleyball. Through hard work, she joined the Beijing Women’s Volleyball Team in 1976. Later, as a key player nicknamed “Iron Hammer”, she helped China win the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold.

Lang’s success continued as a coach. She led the Chinese national women’s volleyball team to the 2016 Rio Olympic gold, becoming the first person in volleyball history to win Olympic gold as both player and coach. She also guided teams to two Olympic silvers, with the Chinese team at the 1996 Atlanta Games and with the United States at the 2008 Beijing Games. 

When receiving the award in Lausanne, Switzerland, 64-year-old Lang got emotional. “There are so many people to thank, from the brilliant teams and players I have coached, to the coaches and mentors who shaped me as a player and as a person from my earliest days in the sport. This recognition belongs to all of them,” she said.

From a young girl who loved volleyball to a world-renowned coach, Lang’s journey has even inspired a popular Chinese sports film Leap. Her story tells us that passion and perseverance can turn dreams into reality.