Volleyball coach Lang Ping not to follow Yao Ming's footsteps

LOS ANGELES/BEIJING - NBA legend Yao Ming has been named as president of the Chinese Basketball Association. Now expectations are high that Lang Ping will take over as Chinese volleyball chief.

Lang, who is recovering from a hip surgery in her Los Angeles home, said that won't happen.

"I haven't considered being the president of the Chinese Volleyball Association. I would rather study volleyball techniques than become an official," said Lang.

Lang, the first person to have won the Olympic volleyball gold medal both as coach and player, received a hip replacement surgery in Chicago on January 19 and returned to her Los Angeles home in early March, and will get her left hip replaced as well in a few months.

The rehabilitation goes better than expected, said Lang, adding "I couldn't do breaststroke swimming for many years due to hip injuries, and now I can do it very well, without any pain."

Her daily rehab training, which features bike riding, strength training, stretching and swimming, lasts over an hour.

"Since the left leg hasn't received surgery, my two legs are not as same long for the time being," she said. "The right one is about one centimeter longer."

No longer as the Chinese women's team coach though, Lang will return to Beijing to "offer suggestions in building a new national team."

"As a veteran in volleyball, I am pleased to do such work," she said.

Asked whether she would regain the helm of the women's team, Lang said it depends on doctors' decision.

"With poor physical condition, I will be irresponsible if I continue to be the coach. Being head coach requires strength, attention and time," she said.

"At least it seems impossible for me to be the coach this year," she added.