Lang Ping gives instructions to Li Yingying during the match. Photo: Xinhua
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https://scmp.com/sport/china/article/3143365/tokyo-olympics-china-volleyball-coach-lang-ping-sorry-after-rio-2016 China
Tokyo Olympics: China volleyball coach Lang Ping ‘sorry’ after Rio 2016 champs exit early
- Netizens show support for Chinese women’s team despite worst Olympics performance since Barcelona 1992
- ‘I’m responsible,’ legendary coach says after Rio 2016 champions beat Italy without star player Zhu Ting
China women’s volleyball coach Lang Ping reacts during the win over Italy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Xinhua
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China women’s volleyball coach Lang Ping has apologised to the fans after the Rio 2016 champions and gold medal favourites crashed out in the group stage in Tokyo, its worst performance in nearly 30 years.
“It’s been a regretful experience,” a tearful Lang said after her team beat Italy 3-0 in a win that was too little, too late.
“I want to apologise to the fans in China. They never gave up on us even though the outcome here was not proportional to the training,” said Lang, who was a gold medal winner as a player in Los Angeles in 1984 and as a coach five years ago.
“I didn’t expect to be out so early and this accident happened. I am mainly responsible. The players worked very hard.”
China lost the first three matches of its Olympic title defence, going down 3-0 to Turkey and the USA, then 3-2 to the Russian team despite holding the lead for the first time in Tokyo.
Turkey’s win over Argentina and the USA’s loss against Russia meant that China was already out by the time it took on unbeaten Italy at the Ariake Arena.
As Lang had promised, star player Zhu Ting sat that win out. The Rio 2016 MVP has been carrying a wrist injury in Tokyo and that was heavily strapped as she watched from the bench.
“We have found we couldn’t perform that well without Zhu Ting, we relied too much on her,” Lang told the media. Veteran Yan Ni was also carrying an injury to her shoulder so she and Ding Xia joined Zhu on the bench.
“The team relaxed today and the young ones gave us our best performance in Tokyo. Experience in this Olympics can provide precious lessons for the generation of the future.”
Among those to shine in a changed line-up was Li Yingying, who top-scored with 15 points. The players finally looked to be enjoying themselves on court and celebrated the first victory of the Games.
Back in China the post mortem has already begun into why the gold medal favourites and world No 2 team surrendered their crown so meekly.
The women’s volleyball team, who are a favourite in China and with fans around the world, still received support on Chinese social media.
“Women’s volleyball spirit is not only when you win, but always exists,” wrote one Weibo user, while others cheered their victory.
“Even if you miss the quarter-finals, you have always been our proud existence. As a spectator, I saw your best look tonight. You are really great!” another user wrote.
“We are still standing behind the women’s volleyball team, as their most solid backing, continue to cheer for them! We will always believe in the Chinese women’s volleyball team!” posted another on the Twitter-like social media site.
However, questions are being asked over this group exit – the worst Olympic result for 29 years when the team finished seventh at the Barcelona 1992 Games.
Netizens have pointed fingers at libero Wang Mengjie for her sluggish performance and coaching assistant An Jiajie for their part in the early exit.
Fans and media have speculated over the future of the 61-year-old coach, with some suggesting that the Argentina game might be her last after her post-match comments.
“I think I’m really tired and should take a break,” Lang said. “In addition, we also have a lot of young and good coaches. We should let them lead the new Chinese women’s volleyball forward.”