HAVANA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Eugenio George, chosen by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as the best coach in the 20th century, died at 81 in Havana due to a "long and painful illness", local media reported on Sunday.

Local radio station Radio Reloj said that George died on Saturday night and his body was to be mourned in a funeral home in Havana so people will pay tribute.

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

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