Legendary volleyball coach Eugenio George dies

Cuban Eugenio George, chosen by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as the best coach of the 20th century, died at 81 here due to a "long and painful illness".

Local radio station Radio Reloj Sunday said that George died Saturday night and his body was to be placed in a funeral home in Havana so people could pay tribute, reports Xinhua.

George led the Cuban women's team to three Olympic gold medals in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.

He also led the team to win the World championships in Leningrad (1978), Brazil (1994) and Japan (1998).