The chief executive officer of the US Volleyball Association told Xinhua News Agency Monday that Lang Ping had decided to accept the position of head coach for the US national women's volleyball team. Doug Beal said they were due to make a formal announcement later that day.

"US Volleyball Association is honored to be able to reach an agreement with Jenny (Lang's English name) to be the next US women's national team coach," he said. "She is perhaps the most dedicated, successful women's volleyball personality in the world, and I am excited that we are going to be able to have her leading our women's national team for the next quadrennial. She has been uncommonly successful in every phase of her career as a player and a coach."

Regarded as one of the key volleyball players of the 1980s, Lang, dubbed "the Iron Hammer" for her killer spikes, led the Chinese women's team to gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, 1982 World Championships, and 1981 and 1985 World Cup. She then coached them to silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 1998 World Women's Volleyball Championships, before leading Italy's Novara Club to the league and Cup titles last year.

Owing to her place in Chinese volleyball history, the possibility of Lang joining the US national team had led to some debate at home.

Lang revealed in a telephone interview with Xinhua yesterday that three factors finally persuaded her: she wants to get closer and take care of her 12-year-old daughter, Lydia, who was born in the US and lives in California with her father; to win honor for China's women's volleyball in a new way; and due to a more sensible reaction from the Chinese public and media.

"I know some Chinese think of me as an idol. Although I don't deserve it, I really appreciate and treasure it. However, as a mother, the 'idol' also has to get on and raise her daughter," Lang said.

On whether her joining the US team would damage the dignity of China's women's volleyball, Lang said she had thought it over. "I feel very proud that as the world No. 1 sports powerhouse, the US for the first time invited a Chinese to be head coach. It's doing credit to my motherland in a different way."

Some are opposed to the deal, as they believe that Lang's participation in the US team would be a direct challenge to China's goal of winning the women's volleyball medal at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Lang thinks otherwise. She said that people overrate the US team and underrate the Chinese. The Americans don't have their own professional league while most of the good players are in Italy. They have little time to take assembly training to prepare for the Olympics since the Italian league ends in April. Therefore, no coach could change that much however capable she was, and, "I cannot change the American traditional system."

The Chinese women's team, on the contrary, which boasts Chen Zhonghe, Wang Baoquan, Cui Yongmei and many other great coaches, now has the ability to dominate the world for many years. "Both the US and Italy sent invitations to me years ago. I refused them because of the awkward predicament China was in at that time."

Lang has also been concerned with the Chinese public's reaction. "I really appreciate the fact that a lot of people have given me understanding and support. Aside from a patriotic feeling, fans have also shown a great sporting spirit and have been quite open-minded. I'm so happy to see that our fans are mature and capable of hosting 2008's Games."

According to a survey by the leading web portal Sina.com, 49 percent of over 15,000 people polled supported Lang and 36 percent thought it was a personal decision, while merely 12 percent objected.

"I am very excited to work for US volleyball," Lang was quoted by US volleyball association as saying. "I will do my best to make the program even stronger. I am sure we will have a lot of work to do in order to build up the team. Our first goal is to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. Of course, our journey will be very difficult, but I also think we have a great future."

Chen Zhonghe, head coach of the Chinese women's team and Lang's former right-hand man, accepted the news with equanimity. He said it was only natural.

Chen noted that the American team has a pretty strong pool of players to draw on, with some 100 college teams. "Their athletes are in good condition and have good skills, and they only lack a high-level volleyball league. I believe Lang's participation will upgrade their power."

"I worked with her for many years and she is so capable, experienced and powerful. In the future, we are rivals on the court, but still good friends off court." Chen added.

As for the new Chinese women's team, Chen said they will release the roster in the middle of February. The preliminaries of the national games are slated for February 22-28 and the national team will start their assembly training from March 1.

(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, February 8, 2005)