Digest

VOLLEYBALL

Legend Lang quits as Team China coach

Lang Ping announced on Wednesday that she has stepped down as head coach of China's national women's volleyball team.

The China Volleyball Association also confirmed that Lang's contract expired on Aug 31.

"Today is my first day after leaving the post of head coach of China's women's volleyball team. I've finished my tasks," Lang wrote on social media.

"I'm now in Suzhou to visit the grave of my mother, who passed away last year, and sweep her tomb," Lang added.

Known as the "Iron Hammer "during her glittering playing career, Lang began a second stint in charge of Team China in 2013. Under her guidance, China won Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as 2015 and 2019 World Cup titles.

But China shockingly failed to progress through the group stage at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after suffering defeats to Turkey, the United States and Russia.

"I want to tell my mother, from my own perspective, it's really a pity that I didn't achieve much at Tokyo 2020. But now it's time for me to say farewell to my career," Lang wrote.

"I feel fulfilled and happy when I look back on my volleyball career. I am grateful for all the support I have received from people who love volleyball."

SOCCER

Pele 'in good health' despite hospital stay

Pele has moved to reassure fans that he is feeling fine after being taken to hospital in Brazil.

The 80-year-old's well-being was the subject of speculation earlier on Tuesday after it was revealed he had been admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.

"Guys, I didn't faint and I'm in very good health. I went for my routine exams, which I had not been able to do before because of the pandemic," Pele said on Twitter.

The three-time World Cup winner has rarely been seen in public since undergoing hip replacement surgery in 2012.

He has since battled a series of prostate and kidney problems that have often required treatment in hospital.

Last year, Pele's son Edinho said his father was battling a "kind of depression" because of his fragile health and declining mobility.

Pele scored a world-record 1,281 goals in a 1,363-match professional career that spanned 21 years, and won three World Cups with Brazil.

BASKETBALL

Simmons tells Sixers he wants to be traded

All-Star point guard Ben Simmons informed the Philadelphia 76ers that he wants out of town and will not report to the team's training camp, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday.

The Sixers and Simmons appeared headed for a sour parting after Philadelphia bowed out in the Eastern Conference semifinals in June and Simmons received blame from coach Doc Rivers and teammate Joel Embiid.

Though the 2016 No 1 overall pick is considered a talented playmaker and defender, his inability－or unwillingness－to take shots reared its head during the series loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Rivers said he didn't "know the answer to that right now" when asked if Simmons could be the starting point guard of a championship team.

NBA journalist Marc Stein reported that the Sixers have known of Simmons' desire to be traded "for some time". The 76ers have not commented on the reports. A three-time All-Star, Simmons has started all 275 games he has played in four NBA seasons, all with the 76ers.

OLYMPICS

Beijing 2022 venue to host trade exhibitions

Part of this year's China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) will be staged at Shougang Park, the steel mill-turned-cultural and sports complex situated in western Beijing.

CIFTIS organizers on Tuesday said that eight exhibitions and several forums will take place for the first time in Shougang Park.

Once the industrial heart of the capital, Shougang district is now home to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games Organizing Committee and some competition venues for the Winter Games.

The CIFTIS, a major platform for trade in services in China, will take place from Sept 2 to 7. The China National Convention Center will host the majority of the CIFTIS events.

Highlighting openness, cooperation, and global economic recovery, CIFTIS 2021 will focus on topics such as the digital economy and carbon neutrality.

MOTOR SPORTS

F1 reviewing rules after Belgian washout farce

Formula 1's governing body announced on Tuesday a review of how points are awarded after last Sunday's farcical Belgian Grand Prix saw drivers scored by completing two laps behind the safety car.

The rain-hit race at Spa-Francorchamps was only the sixth in Formula 1 history to award half-points.

The sporting regulations say this can happen "if the leader has completed more than two laps but less than 75 percent of the original race distance".

In a statement posted on Twitter, FIA president Jean Todt said: "The FIA, together with Formula 1 and the teams, will carefully review the regulations to see what can be learned and improved for the future.

"The findings, including the topic of points allocation, will be added to the agenda of the next F1 Commission meeting on October 5."

Xinhua - Agencies