Great Reversal: Chronicle of the Chinese Women's Volleyball Team's Resurgence

Author: Kong Ning
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: There's always a kind of emotion that tugs at the heart, a love that leaves a deep mark, and a feeling 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 that goes unrecognized, there is a need for a spirit to console; at the crossroads of life and death, people always need 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 Yellow River in 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 team gradually faded from memory, on November 15, 2003, the Chinese women's volleyball team reclaimed the world championship after a 17-year hiatus in Japan. On the early morning of August 29, 2004, Beijing time, the team won the Olympic gold medal after a 20-year absence. What untold stories happened between 2001 and 2004, the four years that brought the long-forgotten spirit of the 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 team. Just as Feng Kun said to me in the rest corridor after her first world championship victory: "If you want to, you can do it!"