bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Jonathan White

Follow our live coverage of day nine of the Tokyo Olympics here
China women’s volleyball coach Lang Ping has apologised to the fans after the Rio 2016 champions and gold medal favourites crashed out in the group stage in Tokyo, its worst performance in nearly 30 years.
“It’s been a regretful experience,” a tearful Lang said after her team beat Italy 3-0 in a win that was too little, too late.
“I want to apologise to the fans in China. They never gave up on us even though the outcome here was not proportional to the training,” said Lang, who was a gold medal winner as a player in Los Angeles in 1984 and as a coach five years ago.
“I didn’t expect to be out so early and this accident happened. I am mainly responsible. The players worked very hard.”

China lost the first three matches of its Olympic title defence, going down 3-0 to Turkey and the USA, then 3-2 to the Russian team despite holding the lead for the first time in Tokyo.
Turkey’s win over Argentina and the USA’s loss against Russia meant that China was already out by the time it took on unbeaten Italy at the Ariake Arena.
Reigning Olympic volleyball champions China crash out
As Lang had promised, star player Zhu Ting sat that win out. The Rio 2016 MVP has been carrying a wrist injury in Tokyo and that was heavily strapped as she watched from the bench.
“We have found we couldn’t perform that well without Zhu Ting, we relied too much on her,” Lang told the media. Veteran Yan Ni was also carrying an injury to her shoulder so she and Ding Xia joined Zhu on the bench.
“The team relaxed today and the young ones gave us our best performance in Tokyo. Experience in this Olympics can provide precious lessons for the generation of the future.”


Among those to shine in a changed line-up was Li Yingying, who top-scored with 15 points. The players finally looked to be enjoying themselves on court and celebrated the first victory of the Games.
Back in China the post mortem has already begun into why the gold medal favourites and world No 2 team surrendered their crown so meekly.
The women’s volleyball team, who are a favourite in China and with fans around the world, still received support on Chinese social media.



“Women’s volleyball spirit is not only when you win, but always exists,” wrote one Weibo user, while others cheered their victory.
“Even if you miss the quarter-finals, you have always been our proud existence. As a spectator, I saw your best look tonight. You are really great!” another user wrote.
“We are still standing behind the women’s volleyball team, as their most solid backing, continue to cheer for them! We will always believe in the Chinese women’s volleyball team!” posted another on the Twitter-like social media site.
Russia leave Olympic volleyball champs China on the brink
However, questions are being asked over this group exit – the worst Olympic result for 29 years when the team finished seventh at the Barcelona 1992 Games.
Netizens have pointed fingers at libero Wang Mengjie for her sluggish performance and coaching assistant An Jiajie for their part in the early exit.
Fans and media have speculated over the future of the 61-year-old coach, with some suggesting that the Argentina game might be her last after her post-match comments.
“I think I’m really tired and should take a break,” Lang said. “In addition, we also have a lot of young and good coaches. We should let them lead the new Chinese women’s volleyball forward.”


Meet Emma McKeon: Cody Simpson’s girlfriend is a superstar swimmer and Australia’s most decorated Olympian who worked hard to win her medals – and she can thank her career for her relationship too

Hong Kong museum to showcase Olympic medals from local, mainland Chinese athletes

Chinese Olympians show fun side while offering Hongkongers words of advice on never giving up

East Asia’s Olympics results are a testament to a changing world

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Tokyo Olympics: China volleyball coach Lang Ping ‘sorry’ after Rio 2016 champs exit early

China women’s volleyball coach Lang Ping reacts during the win over Italy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Xinhua

(210729) -- TOKYO, July 29, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Lang Ping (front, L), head coach of China gives instructions to Li Yingying during the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and ROC at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on July 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Tokyo Olympics: reigning champions China crash out of women’s volleyball after Turkey beats Argentina

China coach Lang Ping speaks to the team during their pool B game against the Russian Olympic Committee at the Ariake Arena. Photo: Reuters

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Volleyball - Women's Pool B - China v The Russian Olympic Committee - Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan – July 29, 2021. Natalya Goncharova of the Russian Olympic Committee in action with Li Yingying of China and Yuan Xinyue of China. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Tokyo Olympics: China thrashed by Turkey in women’s volleyball opener, US next with star Zhu Ting an injury doubt

China’s Wang Yuanyuan spikes the ball in the women’s preliminary round pool B volleyball match against Turkey at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Photo: AFP

Turkey's players celebrate their victory in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and Turkey during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. (Photo by Yuri Cortez / AFP)

China's Gong Xiangyu sets the ball in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and Turkey during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)

Tokyo Olympics: Russia beat China to leave  women’s volleyball champions on the brink of exit

Li Yingying falls on the ground during China’s group B volleyball match defeat by the Russian Olympic Committee. Photo: Xinhua

Russia's Irina Voronkova hits the ball in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and Russia during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 29, 2021. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Russia's players celebrate their victory in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between China and Russia during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 29, 2021. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Tokyo Olympics: USA beats China in women’s volleyball to leave reigning champions winless

China’s Zhu Ting (left) spikes during the women's volleyball preliminary round match between China and the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

China

Knowledge

Events


Netizens show support for Chinese women’s team despite worst Olympics performance since Barcelona 1992
‘I’m responsible,’ legendary coach says after Rio 2016 champions beat Italy without star player Zhu Ting



Netizens show support for Chinese women’s team despite worst Olympics performance since Barcelona 1992 as legendary coach takes responsibility.


Tokyo Olympics: China volleyball coach Lang Ping ‘sorry’ after Rio 2016 champs exit early

Netizens show support for Chinese women’s team despite worst Olympics performance since Barcelona 1992 ‘I’m responsible,’ legendary coach says after Rio 2016 champions beat Italy without star player Zhu Ting

Netizens show support for Chinese women’s team despite worst Olympics performance since Barcelona 1992

‘I’m responsible,’ legendary coach says after Rio 2016 champions beat Italy without star player Zhu Ting