|
 |
|
(XINHUA) | Li Mingzhu, former coach of two-time Olympic bronze medalist Chen Lu, will return to China after coaching in the United States for 13 years.
Zhao Yinggang, Director of China's Winter Sports Administrative Center, said Li had accepted a four-year contract with the Chinese Skating Federation to coach the Chinese women's figure skating team for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
"Negotiations have been going on since last year and I believe we will formally sign the contract with Li in August," Zhao said.
Li, 48, began her coaching career in 1982. Under her coaching, Chen became China's first Olympic figure skating medalist (bronze medals in 1994 and 1998) and world champion in 1995.
After she concluded a 15-year partnership with Chen, Li went to the United States in 1997 and taught at the East West Ice Palace in Artesia owned by five-time World champion Michelle Kwan. Her skaters there included Caroline Zhang, the 2007 World Junior Champion and 2009 U.S. Championship bronze medalist.
In 2008, the Chinese Skating Federation sent three teenagers to the United States for training with Li. | 
