BEIJING // The US men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon celebrated a team gold yesterday and said it should not be overshadowed by the murder of his father-in-law during the Games. McCutcheon said "the filters came down" as the US seized the final point in a closely fought 3-1 final win against Brazil and he briefly retreated from the court, hands over head, to a side corridor to compose himself after a "surreal" few weeks.
"I mourn the loss of my father-in-law, greatly," he said. "My heart aches for my wife and for our family for their loss. On the other hand, I am extremely proud and happy for my team. I cannot change what happened in either sphere, I can just embrace what's occurred and try to deal with it accordingly." McCutcheon, a New Zealander, has coached the US team since 2005 and was assistant coach four years ago in Athens.
* Reuters
