China-born Li named top US athletics coach for guiding Lagat

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) — James Li, the China-born coach of world 1,500m and 5,000m doubles champion Bernard Lagat, was named the USA Track and Field Coach of the Year, the US governing body announced Wednesday.

Li, who was born in Chengdu and naturalized as a US citizen in 1998, will be honored at the group's annual meeting Saturday in Honolulu.

Lagat became the first man to complete a 1,500-5,000 world championship double this year at Osaka, claiming the first US 5,000m podium finish ever at worlds under Li's teachings.

"I was overwhelmed when I was told that I had won this award, which I really did not expect," Li said.

"Bernard and I have worked together for 12 years. We have a good foundation of faith and confidence in what we are doing," Li...