According to Xinhua News Agency, Lai Yawen was elected as the new chair of the Chinese Volleyball Association during the 8th member congress held in Beijing.
Born on September 9, 1970, in Dalian, Liaoning Province, Lai Yawen is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. She previously served as a player, assistant coach, and team leader for the Chinese women’s national volleyball team. Currently, she holds the positions of director of the National Volleyball Management Center and secretary of its party committee.
Lai joined the national team in 1989 and captained the squad under head coaches Lang Ping and Hu Jin. Her playing career includes four world championship silver medals, two World Grand Prix bronze medals, five Asian Championship titles, three Asian Games gold medals, and five national championships. She helped China win a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics and earned Best Defender honors at the 1990 World Championships. In 1998, she competed with health issues and persevered through the final.
After retiring as a player, Lai began her coaching career in 1999 as an assistant coach for the Chinese women’s volleyball team. She worked under five head coaches—Hu Jin, Chen Zhonghe, Cai Bin, Wang Baoquan, and Lang Ping—earning the titles “five-dynasty veteran” and “big sister” among players. During her tenure as assistant coach, the team won the 2003 World Cup, ending a 17-year title drought in major tournaments, the 2004 Olympic gold medal in Athens under Chen Zhonghe, and the 2016 Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro alongside Lang Ping.
In 2017, Lai was appointed deputy director of the Volleyball Management Center. In 2023, she was promoted to director of the center and secretary of its party committee.