China recommends five coaches for IOC lifetime achievement awards

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The General Administration of Sports in China announced on Friday it is recommending five coaches for the second edition of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Eligible coaches must have attended at least one edition of the Olympic Games, and made outstanding achievements and contributions to encouraging athletes in summer or winter Olympic sports in line with the Olympic values.

Liu Guoliang, Zhang Jun, Sun Haiping, Lang Ping and Zhou Jihong are being recommended by the Chinese agency for the accolade.

Here are brief introductions about the five coaches:

Liu Guoliang. /VCG Photo

Liu Guoliang (1976) is a legendary table tennis player, and former head coach of the Chinese men's national table tennis team. He led Team China to win the team gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, along with the victories of single male players. His most famous apprentices are Ma Lin, Wang Hao and Wang Liqin.

Zhang Jun (R). /VCG Photo

Zhang Jun (1977) is a former Chinese badminton player who bagged the gold in mixed doubles at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. He is now the coach of China's national singles and doubles teams.

Sun Haiping. /VCG Photo

Sun Haiping (1955) is the coach of retired 110m hurdler Liu Xiang, who was the first Chinese male athlete to have won an Olympic gold medal in athletics in 2004.

Lang Ping. /VCG Photo

Lang Ping (1960) is nicknamed the "Iron Hammer" and is a Chinese legend in volleyball. She is the current coach of the Chinese women’s volleyball team and has guided China to the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Zhou Jihong. /VCG Photo

Zhou Jihong (1965) is the first diving gold medalist for China, and has been the coach of the Chinese diving team since 1998, having trained 24 Olympic champions so far.