Great Reversal

Author: Kong Ning
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: There's always a kind of emotion that tugs at the heart, always a love that leaves a deep mark, always a moment that brings tears to one's eyes. Even as time flows, the self-esteem buried deep within the hearts of ordinary Chinese people will forever be remembered in the course of history. In the most challenging moments of life, there must be a spirit to uphold; in adversity where one is not recognized, there is a need for a spirit to console; at the crossroads of life and death, there is a need for a spirit to inspire and turn the tide of fate. This is the charm of the Chinese women's volleyball team. On November 16, 1981, all the descendants of the Chinese nation around the world realized the weight of the four words "Chinese women's volleyball team." Their victory in that difficult era inspired the entire nation to strive and persevere. When the spirit of the women's volleyball team gradually faded from people's minds, on November 15, 2003, the Chinese women's volleyball team reclaimed the world championship after 17 years away from it in Osaka, Japan. On the early morning of August 29, 2004, Beijing time, the Chinese women's volleyball team won the Olympic gold medal after 20 years away from it. What unseen stories happened between 2001 and 2004, the four years that brought the long-forgotten spirit of the women's volleyball team back into the spotlight? There is no reason to forget the indomitable national spirit, and thus no reason to forget the journey of the new women's volleyball team. Just as Feng Kun said to me in the rest corridor after her first world championship victory: "If you want to, you can achieve it!"