China's women's volleyball team has high hopes of defending its
gold medal at next year's Olympic Games, but a chief official from the
sport's governing body downplayed China's chances, admitting that
no podium finish would also be acceptable.
"The worst result we are ready to accept is fifth place," said
Xu Li, director of the Volleyball Administrative Center. "I am not
kidding you. The chances of winning a gold, a silver, a bronze, or
fourth or fifth place are all the same - it's 20 percent
apiece."
Xu and head coach Chen Zhonghe have been scouting potential
players in the national volleyball league but are far from
satisfied with the performances of some Olympic hopefuls.
"We are short of spikers and setters," admitted Chen. "We are
looking for such players to make the team up. But there are few
coming up in the league.
"Some of the players have good potential but are too young. They
have no experience in big competitions and are not mentally strong.
We do not have enough time to grow them up."
Chen blamed the lack of qualified players on the inadequate
development of the sport's grassroots levels.
"The level of our national league is not reaching high standard.
There are not enough people playing the sport in China.
"In the US there are more than 100 pro teams. But in China we
only have just over 100 pro players. It's a huge gap and makes the
selection of good players difficult."
Chen said emerging powerhouses like the US - which is coached by
former Chinese star Lang Ping - the Netherlands and Italy have
joined the traditional elites like Cuba, Brazil and Russia, making
the battle for gold in Beijing all the more intense.
"I came to Japan last month and watched the World Cup. It's so
competitive. Italy and the US are showing impressive improvements
in the tournament. The number of rivals to challenge China's
defense is increasing."
Struggling with injury and inconsistency with a new team after
the 2004 Athens Games, the national team suffered a string of
losses to lowly ranked teams in this year's Grand Prix preliminary
rounds and stumbled into August's finals in a disappointing eighth
place.
The squad did launch a strong return to form as it clinched
second place with four straight wins, including three-set sweeps
against Russia and Brazil. But its loss to finals-winner
Netherlands and its poor record against Italy and Brazil throughout
the year sound a clear warning to China's Olympic prospects.
Hopes remain
But as the pressure on the team has increased, Chen insists
China is still able to beat all the odds.
"I know it's very difficult for us to defend the Olympic title.
But I believe we always have hope to stand on the top podium as
long as we are focused on the preparation and lift the players to a
higher level," he said.
Some encouraging news is the return of ace spiker Zhao
Ruirui.
Zhao has struggled with injury since she hurt her knee in the
first game of the Athens Olympics, but has shown strong signs of
returning next year.
"Everything is doing very well. I have no problems in diving and
spiking," said Zhao.
Zhao said she plans to attend the national team's training
session in the new year: "I do not have to train alone anymore. I
have been waiting for such a long time to train with my
teammates."
Chen confirmed Zhao's rehabilitation, as well as the recovery of
some other veterans from the Athens winning team such as former
captain Feng Kun.
Chen, who has devoted nearly his entire life to volleyball as a
professional player in the 1970s and a coach since 1979, revealed
he will not stay in the post after the Beijing Games.
"I will not do it anymore. I'm so tired," he said. "I've devoted
all my time to the job since I became head coach in 2001. I have to
spend more time with my family."
(China Daily December 11, 2007)