(August 13)

(The author, CCTV-5 sports commentator)

I had the chance to meet Christian Bauer on our program.

When we were preparing for the show, I heard my colleagues saying he is a legend, for he has cultivated more than 70 world champions for France and Italy, as well as China's Zhong Man, who won the men's saber fencing gold medal on August 12.

Zhong Man of China (R) celebrates his victory with his coach Christian Bauer of France after defeating Nicolas Lopez of France in their men's individual sabre fencing final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 12, 2008. [Agencies]

Bauer told me, “I am French, and I know best how to beat the French.”

Yes, it is true; Zhong beat French fencer, Julien Pillet, 15-12, in the semifinals, and beat Nicolas Lopez of France in the final.

After the program, I thought about the Chinese coaches working for foreign teams, and wondered how he could say such a thing.

I know Bauer has separated sport from politics. He just loves fencing and hopes more people will enjoy the game.

Foreign coaches joining our teams can help improve our standards and what we get is more than just a fencing champion.

Two days ago, Zhang Lin won silver in the 400m freestyle with a time of 3min 42.44 seconds, after months working with Australia's Denis Cotterell, who steered Grant Hackett to gold in the 1500m freestyle at both the Sydney and Athens Games.

More examples can be seen in many events, including Women's Tennis, Judo, Softball, as well as Women's Volleyball.

South Korea's Kim Chang Back helped the Chinese Women's Hockey team find its position in the world and Japan's "godmother" of synchronized swimming, Masayo Imura, has been coaching the Chinese team for the Beijing Games.

Lithuanian, Jonas Kazlauskas, China's head coach of men's basketball, has been seen as vital in improving the men's basketball team. Although China was beaten by world champions Spain on August 12, without the help of the foreigner we may not have had the chance to challenge them at all.

However, we must remember not to depend solely on the golden touch of foreign coaches. Their coming is just a fresh start.

http://liujianhong.blog.sohu.com/97162773.html