Lang Ping wins the 2025 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first Chinese sportsperson to receive this historic honour.
From the arena to the cinema, Lang Ping keeps inspiring. Now the Olympic House honours her again. The International Olympic Committee announced her latest award recently. Lang won the 2025 Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award with Cuban coach Raul de Jesus Trujillo Diaz. She also became the first Chinese sportsperson to earn this honour.
At the Olympic House in Lausanne, IOC President Kirsty Coventry and Sergii Bubka presented the awards. Lang, now 64, accepted the recognition with pride. She earned the nickname “Iron Hammer” after leading China to gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Later, she began coaching the Chinese women’s team. She quickly lifted the team from a slump. She then guided them to silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Her international success continued. She coached the U.S. women’s team to silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In 2013, she returned to China. Soon, she rebuilt the national team. She then led China to two World Cup titles. In 2016, her squad won Olympic gold in Rio. With this victory, she became the first person in volleyball history to win Olympic gold as both player and coach.
In 2002, the Volleyball Hall of Fame inducted her as its first Asian member. On the court, she dominated as the “Iron Hammer.” Off the court, she guided teams with calm strength and sharp insight. Today, her influence reaches far beyond volleyball. Her story of discipline and resilience continues to inspire athletes and fans worldwide.
Written by Yi Shen, additional reporting by China Daily and CGTN.
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