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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 09, 2003

Chinese Coach Aims to Win Olympic Volleyball Title

While conceding as a second-class team, China's women's volleyball team head coach Chen Zonghe is cherishing the hope of winning both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic titles.


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While conceding as a second-class team, China's women's volleyball team head coach Chen Zonghe is cherishing the hope of winning both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic titles.

"Currently, our women's team remains as a second-class one in the world, but I'm full of confidence to win the Olympic title both in Greece and in Beijing," said coach Chen in an interview with Morning News, a local newspaper in Beijing.

After finishing fourth in the world championships last year, the Chinese women spikers are gathering at Zhangzhou, a training site for Chinese volleyballers in Fujian province, to gear up for the World Cup grand prix later this year in Japan.

"We finished twice as runners-up at the World Cup during the last two years, but I don't foresee a long way to go for us to win the world title," said Chen.

"While we're aiming to enter the finals at the World Cup grand prix this year, the Olympic Games next year might be the earliest timing for us to be crowned, and I am fully confident of winning the title at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 if only I'm still the head cocah," he said.

However, coach Chen did concede that his squad is still want ofa decisive attacker. "And we have to overcome the dilemma throughour overall teamwork, requiring our players to be versatile in every position."

Chen disclosed that China has already set up a second-string "Team of Hope", who is also training at Zhangzhou, to eventually prepare for the Beijing Olympic Games.

"They are very hopeful as we have five players in the squad at the height of 1.90 meters, with an average height of 1.87 meters,"Chen said, "And our training site will provide a healthy environment for them as they will be whetted for six months every year at the site."


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