“The spirit of women’s volleyball, the power of the primeval force!” “The Chinese women’s volleyball team has always been a god in my heart!” “If miracles had a color, it would surely be Chinese red”... When nearly 1 billion Chinese viewers focused on the Rio Olympics women’s volleyball final, and when Chinese people around the world watched this pinnacle duel whose significance far exceeded a sports competition, a long-lost sense of being moved struck the minds of hundreds of millions of viewers like lightning. A majestic force crossed the ocean, knocking on the hearts of every Chinese person.
The Chinese women’s volleyball team winning the Olympic championship again brings to mind the glorious years of the past. In a winter day 35 years ago, the girls of the volleyball team won their first world championship. The thumping sound of the “iron mallet” rang the drum of “Unite to revitalize China,” boosting the morale of the Chinese people. This glorious team is not only a bright national card on the competitive stage but has also become an inspiring role model for countless Chinese people. “Three consecutive titles” and “five consecutive titles,” in that era when the gates to the outside world had just opened and the people were calling for spiritual strength, the Chinese women’s volleyball team reached the peak with their fearless fighting spirit, proving to the world that “Chinese people can do it.” In that era when the curtain of reform and opening-up had just lifted and China was striving to catch up with the world, the spirit of women’s volleyball was like a flag, letting the world see the height and magnitude of miracles that China’s collectivism, patriotism, and self-improvement will can achieve. The spirit of women’s volleyball—selfless dedication, unity and cooperation, arduous struggle, and self-improvement—is the perfect combination of national spirit and the spirit of the times, becoming a collective memory and value label of an era.
Time flows, and the world changes. Over the past 30 years, the girls of the volleyball team have experienced the glory and brilliance of reaching the top, as well as the hesitation and confusion of falling into a low point. But “the deeper you fall, the stronger the rebound,” as head coach Lang Ping said: “The spirit of China’s women’s volleyball is unrelated to winning or losing. It is not that you have the spirit only when you win and lose it when you lose. We must see the process of these players’ efforts.” Sticking to the dream of striving for honor for the country, maintaining the spirit of seeking innovation and change, staying true to the original aspiration, and advancing with the times; enhancing strength through professional competence, gathering strengths from all quarters with an open and inclusive attitude, and winning competition through hard work and smart work—this is the rich connotation and lasting charm of the new era’s women’s volleyball spirit. It is also the bottom line and strength for the Chinese people on the new long march to fear no difficulties and strive to catch up with the times.
