The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on November 25, 2025, that Chinese volleyball icon Lang Ping has been awarded the prestigious IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award. IOC President Kirsty Coventry personally presented the honor, recognizing Lang's unparalleled contributions to sports mentorship and athletic excellence.
Lang Ping, affectionately known as the "Iron Hammer" during her playing career, became the first Asian inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2002. Her coaching achievements include revitalizing China's national team to claim Olympic gold in 2016 and guiding the U.S. women's team to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. This year's award underscores her unique status as the only person in volleyball history to win Olympic gold as both player and coach.
Since the award's establishment in 2017, Lang is the first volleyball specialist to receive this global recognition. Her strategic brilliance and emphasis on teamwork have inspired generations of athletes, cementing her legacy as a transformative figure in international sports.
