The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently honored Chinese volleyball icon Lang Ping with the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award. She shared this honor with Cuban wrestling coach Raul de Jesus Trujillo Diaz, making her the first Chinese sportsperson to receive the honor.

Born in Tianjin on December 10, 1960, Lang had a tough childhood due to poor family conditions. Lang’s independent and determined character was shaped during these hard years. Her father, a sports fan, often took her to watch games at Beijing Workers’ Stadium, which planted a love for volleyball in her heart. In April 1973, Lang, then 1.69 meters tall, was selected by the volleyball coach of Beijing Workers’ Stadium Amateur Sports School. This marked the start of her lifelong bond with volleyball. Through hard work, she joined the Beijing Women’s Volleyball Team in 1976. Later, as a key player nicknamed “Iron Hammer”, she helped China win the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold.

Lang’s success continued as a coach. She led the Chinese national women’s volleyball team to the 2016 Rio Olympic gold, becoming the first person in volleyball history to win Olympic gold as both player and coach. She also guided teams to two Olympic silvers, with the Chinese team at the 1996 Atlanta Games and with the United States at the 2008 Beijing Games. 

When receiving the award in Lausanne, Switzerland, 64-year-old Lang got emotional. “There are so many people to thank, from the brilliant teams and players I have coached, to the coaches and mentors who shaped me as a player and as a person from my earliest days in the sport. This recognition belongs to all of them,” she said.

From a young girl who loved volleyball to a world-renowned coach, Lang’s journey has even inspired a popular Chinese sports film Leap. Her story tells us that passion and perseverance can turn dreams into reality.

1.1. What makes Lang Ping’s IOC award particularly special?

A It’s a team honor.

B She’s China’s first winner.

C It’s for her playing skills.

D It was her first award.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第一段末句“making her the first Chinese sportsperson to receive the honor”可知，该奖项的独特之处在于郎平是首位获此殊荣的中国人。故选B。

2.2. What can we know about Lang’s early life experiences?

A Her wealthy family supported her training.

B Her father provided professional coaching.

C Difficulties helped build her strong personality.

D She had no interest in sports at first.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据第二段的“Lang’s independent and determined character was shaped during these hard years”可知，艰苦的童年塑造了她独立坚定的性格。故选C。

3.3. What can we infer about Lang Ping as a coach?

A She only coached in China.

B Rio 2016 was her first gold.

C She retired after 2008.

D She’s achieved global success.

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据第三段的“led China to Rio gold... guided the US to Beijing silver”可知，郎平既带领中国夺冠，也执教美国队获佳绩，可推断她的执教成就具有国际性。故选D。

4.4. What does Lang Ping’s speech suggest about her?

A She values others’ contributions.

B She’s proud of her achievement.

C She feels tired of coaching.

D She regrets past decisions.

解析：选A。A推理判断题。根据第四段的“so many people to thank... This recognition belongs to all of them”可知，郎平将荣誉归于他人，体现出她重视团队、队员及导师的贡献。故选A。