Chinese Women Beach Volleyball Launches Project for 2008 Olympics

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, August 18, 2003

Chinese Women Beach Volleyball Launches Project for 2008 Olympics

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Though three Chinese pair reached the last 16 but none entered the semi-finals at the SWATCH-FIVB World Women's Beach Volleyball Tour China Open, a long-term program has been launched for 2008 Olympic Games.

"Our goal is to enter the last eight at next year's Athens Olympic Games, and move forward to the last four, better to win a medal in Beijing Olympic Games," said Miao Zhihong, head coach of the Chinese women's national team.

Miao said the Chinese Volleyball Association (CVA) has started a training program for 2008, gathering a group of 14, 15 years oldpotentials from provinces.

"It is the most important period for the teenage players because they can build up the sense of the sport and the understanding of the ball before it is too late," Miao explained.

Comparing with the sport's world powers Americans and Brazilians, who started playing on beach at very early age, most of the Chinese women beach volleyballers turned from indoor at 17 or 18 years and lack of the required instinct.

"Maybe we are not far behind to the world's top-ranked players from the technical point of view, but we are weak at the fast moves, prediction of the situation and wide-angled sight which areconsidered the instinct of the sport."

Miao said CVA also plans to send a team to train with the best clubs in the United States, improve referee's level under the instruction of FIVB and stage more national events every year before the 2008 Olympic Games.

"We have a long way to go to realize our dreams in Beijing Olympic Games. The first and the most important thing is to find and train young talents at the proper time," Miao said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

FIVB World Tour Women's Beach Volleyball Event in China Relocated

China Takes Women's Beach Volleyball Gold

DPRK's Kim Jong Il Elected Member of Parliament ( 2 Messages)

Main Party of China's First Euthanasia Lawsuit Dies ( 2 Messages)

For Whom Does Jackie Chan Feel Pity and Shed Tears? ( 5 Messages)

News Analysis: Bush's Political Fortune to Rise or Fall? ( 4 Messages)

Japan to Be Restored as China's Biggest Tourism Source ( 3 Messages)