Zhangzhou, Fujian, July 13 (Xinhua) -- On the occasion of the establishment of the Chinese sports delegation for the Paris Olympics, the Chinese women's volleyball team is preparing for the sprint in Zhangzhou, Fujian. Head coach Cai Bin said that the team's primary goal at the Paris Olympics is to play well in every group stage.
On the morning of the 13th, the reporter saw 16 players on the Chinese women's volleyball training ground at the Zhangzhou Sports Training Base, in addition to the 13 players in the women's ranking list announced by the Chinese delegation on the same day, the young setter Xu Xiaoting and the deputy attacker Wang Wenhan, as well as the free man Ni Feifei are also training with the team. Cai Bin said that after returning from the World Women's Volleyball League, the three of them have been in Zhangzhou, and after the Chinese Volleyball Association announced the list of Olympic participants, they are also willing to continue training with the team, so they will be with the team before the Chinese team goes to Paris.
According to the women's volleyball format of the Paris Olympics, the 12 participating teams are divided into three groups. At the end of the group round-robin, the top two teams from each group and the two best group finishers will advance to the knockout round. In the knockout stage, the eight teams that advance will be placed in first to eighth places based on their results in the group stage, with the quarter-finals going from first place to eighth place, second place to seventh place, and so on.
Cai Bin said that the format of this competition is different from the past, and the Chinese team must first base itself on playing 3 group games, play their own level, and then move forward step by step. China will face United States, France and Serbia in the group stage.
Cai Bin believes that from the current situation, the overall strength of the Italy team in the Olympic teams is strong, the attack and defense are more balanced, and it is no accident that they won the World Women's Volleyball League championship this year. In addition, teams such as United States, Serbia, Turkey, Poland, Brazil, and China also have relatively strong strength, and who can go further depends on the state and performance during the game.
Looking back on the journey of coaching the Chinese women's volleyball team since 2022, Cai Bin said that the development of the team is basically in line with his expectations. Now that the team is in good shape, he hopes that the team will be more consistent and have fewer ups and downs in the Paris Olympics.
During the World Women's Volleyball League, veteran Zhu Ting felt discomfort in her waist and had some reactions to the old wrist injury. During the training that morning, the reporter saw that she was training normally and in good condition. Cai Bin said that Zhu Ting was very involved in training, and her ability, experience and handling of key balls were of great help to the team. Whether in training or competition, the team will make corresponding arrangements according to her physical condition and her own feelings, and play her role well on the premise of ensuring her health.
The Chinese women's volleyball team is expected to set off on the 20th to start the journey of the Paris Olympics.