American softball coach Michael Bastian yesterday became the first foreign head of a Chinese 2008 Olympic team to lose his job due to disappointing results.

Bastian, who began coaching the Chinese softball team in early 2006, was replaced by Wang Lihong, a former pitcher and member of the team's coaching group, according to a statement issued by the sport's administrative center.

Bastian will stay on with the team as batting coach.

The center did not specify why Bastian, who once led the US junior team to world runners-up, was replaced. But it is thought the center had been reluctant to extend his contract after the team finished a modest fourth at the World Championships in September and only won bronze at the Doha Asian Games in December.

The failure at Doha is believed to have had a major impact on his demotion: With the target a gold medal, the team lost to Chinese Taipei in the semifinals after squandering a big lead.

The center said the appointment of new head coach Wang, a core member of the silver-winning team at the 1996 Games, was down to her experience.

"Wang used to be one of the best pitchers in the world. She also works as the head coach of Beijing softball team. She has vast experience both as an athlete and a coach," the statement said.

Bastian was the first foreign coach of China's softball team. The team were the two-time world championship runners-up and won the silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. But they have dipped in recent years, placing fourth at 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics and 2006 Worlds.

The team are aiming for at least a bronze at the Beijing Games.

(China Daily March 8, 2007)