Earlier this week, at the IOC's annual awards ceremony, former player and coach Lang Ping from the Chinese mainland received the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award from IOC President Kirsty Coventry. The honor, established in 2017, celebrates coaches whose influence stretches beyond medals, shaping athletes' lives and the future of sport.
Lang's journey began as the unstoppable 'Iron Hammer,' leading her national team to a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She retired as a player and soon transitioned into coaching, bringing home a silver medal for the United States women's team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics—a rare achievement that showcased her talent for crossborder leadership.
In 2013, Lang returned to the Chinese mainland to guide her home squad. Under her leadership, the team captured two Volleyball World Cup titles and clinched Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games. Her dual victories as both player and coach mark a historic first in volleyball.
Off the court, Lang has championed women's leadership and cultural exchange in sports. Inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2002 as the first Asian honoree, she has mentored athletes from various countries, building bridges between cultures and promoting diversity in teams.
Lang Ping's career is more than a legacy of medals1mdash;it's a playbook for young global citizens, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads who believe in the power of collaboration, innovation, and cultural exchange. Her journey proves that resilience, vision, and teamwork can unite people around the globe and drive real-world impact.
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Lang Ping honored with IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award
cgtn.com
