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China's curling coach calms after his crushing criticism
Source: Agencies |
February 25, 2010, Thursday
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THE coach of China's world champion women curlers toned down his rhetoric on Tuesday after ripping into the team over what he called a lack of passion.
China beat the United States 6-5 to qualify for the Olympic semifinals today, when it will play Sweden.
A day earlier, China's coach, Dan Rafael, blasted the team after a loss to Russia, saying it was treating the Olympics as just another job. He said he doubted he would remain coach after his contract is up in June.
"I was upset. I vented," Rafael, who is Canadian, told reporters. "Now I'm fine. We qualified. They did their best today and they won."
Asked if he believed his rant lit a fire under the team, he said: "I think the only fire I lit was under me."
He chose his words carefully on Tuesday, saying he "possibly" took heat from team officials for the sharp public criticism.
After sealing her team's playoff berth by nailing her last shot against the US, China captain Wang Bingyu declined to talk to reporters.
"Sorry, I don't want to say something today. You can interview my coach," she said.
Hers was the only team to have beaten first-place Canada in the round robin tournament at the Vancouver Olympic Centre, making the day-later loss to Russia, which has a losing record, surprising.
The semifinal will pair China with the team it beat to take the world title in 2009.
Following the Olympics, China is scheduled to play in world championships before Rafael's contract is up on June 30. He said he has no idea if he will remain with the team until then, as it is up team officials.
"I think they still need me. We've got a world championship to defend, so we'll see what happens," he said.
China beat the United States 6-5 to qualify for the Olympic semifinals today, when it will play Sweden.
A day earlier, China's coach, Dan Rafael, blasted the team after a loss to Russia, saying it was treating the Olympics as just another job. He said he doubted he would remain coach after his contract is up in June.
"I was upset. I vented," Rafael, who is Canadian, told reporters. "Now I'm fine. We qualified. They did their best today and they won."
Asked if he believed his rant lit a fire under the team, he said: "I think the only fire I lit was under me."
He chose his words carefully on Tuesday, saying he "possibly" took heat from team officials for the sharp public criticism.
After sealing her team's playoff berth by nailing her last shot against the US, China captain Wang Bingyu declined to talk to reporters.
"Sorry, I don't want to say something today. You can interview my coach," she said.
Hers was the only team to have beaten first-place Canada in the round robin tournament at the Vancouver Olympic Centre, making the day-later loss to Russia, which has a losing record, surprising.
The semifinal will pair China with the team it beat to take the world title in 2009.
Following the Olympics, China is scheduled to play in world championships before Rafael's contract is up on June 30. He said he has no idea if he will remain with the team until then, as it is up team officials.
"I think they still need me. We've got a world championship to defend, so we'll see what happens," he said.
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