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)