OU Men's Gymnastics Hires Xiao

Oct. 19, 2000

Norman, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team hired former Chinese national team coach Yuan Xiao (pronounced U-an Shouw) announced OU Head Coach Mark Williams.

"We're very excited to have a coach who has been involved at the international and Olympic level," said Williams. "Xiao coached two Chinese gymnasts who were on the 2000 Olympic team and will bring knowledge and experience to our level of gymnastics. This should allow us to compete with anyone in the country. The Chinese national team has been one of the top teams in international gymnastics. Xiao was an exceptional candidate for our coaching position and will bring techniques and training methods from his native country to the University of Oklahoma."

During his tenure on the Chinese senior national team coaching staff during the past decade, Xiao coached several world champions and Olympians. He coached athletes that competed in the 1994 and 1995 World Championships. Xiao also coached at the 1994, 1996 and 1998 Asia Games, the 1997 and 1998 American Cup, the 1997 East Asia Games, the 1997 Junior International Championships, the 1997 World University Games and the 1998 Pacific Alliance.

Xiao was awarded the 1998 National Second Class Honorary Award and earned National First Class Honorary Award and National Lifetime Subsidy Award in 1997. In 1996 he received the National Honorary Award. Xiao attended the Beijing University of Physical Education in advanced gymnastics coaching in 1985-87.

"I'm very excited to be at the University of Oklahoma," said Xiao. "I enjoy teaching gymnastics and like being in the University setting. I'm here to help Mark make the team better. The gymnasts here train hard, want to win and I feel I can help them win. I've had many experiences and coached many teams at many levels. I want to help this team win a championship and I'm excited to be here."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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