Chinese softball coach: we are ready
4/8/2008 17:04
The Chinese softball team has been preparing for the Olympics on their own
soil for four years, said Wang Lihong, coach of the team today.
"Now we are
ready, both physically and mentally," she said.
Chinese team is balanced
among speed, flexibility, steady pitching and defence, but attacking is one of
its major headache.
During the training from half past seven to eleven this
morning, batters first practiced striking, followed by attack-and-defense
training, when a sturdy Philippine male player acted as the pitcher.
"This
practice is especially aimed for contests against teams like the United States
and Australia that are known for fast pitching," Wang explained.
The coach
added that trainings during these days wouldn't been intense, as they will focus
on "adjustment of mentality". "It is mentality that holds the sway in Olympic
competitions. What we need now is relaxatioin," she said.
Chinese softball
players made the history by grabbing a silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics in
1996, when the sport was first introduced to the Olympic agenda.
In the
following Sydney and Athens Games, the girls narrowly missed a podium
finish.
Beijing Olympics will see the final show of the sport, as it is to
withdraw from Olympic programme at the 2012 London Games.
"Some of our
players are beyond 30. This is definitely the last chance for them to achieve
glory. I am sure that they will fight all out to prove themselves," said the
sun-tanned lady.
But they would have a hard time, Wang admitted. "There is no
weak team on the Olympic arena," she said.
Eight teams are going to vie for
softball medals from August 12 to 21. They are from the United States,
Australia, China, Japan, Canada, Chinese Taipei, the Netherlands and
Venezuela.
Chinese girls will embark on their medal-pursuing journey on
August 12 against the Netherlands at preliminary.
Xinhua
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