Olympic Times - Sports Daily

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday observed International Women’s Day by revealing the winners of its 2008 Women and Sport Awards. China’s Li Lingwei was one among the prize winners.
Li is one of few icons who continue to share their experience and expertise, even after giving up active competition. A badminton champion in the 1980s, and having won over 50 Grand Prix and international titles, she has been a catalyst in attracting women and girls to her sport. Later she became the coach of China’s badminton women’s national team, inspiring young athletes to greater heights. Today, as a council member of the Badminton World Federation, a member of the IOC’s Olympic Programme Commission and Deputy Director General of BOCOG’s International Relations Department, she demonstrates how women can lead by example.
Like Li, many other Chinese women also play an important role in sports, both in China and around the world. Through the great efforts of its players, the Chinese women’s volleyball team continually stands ahead of other world teams; Chinese Zheng Jie and Yan Zi, now world-famous tennis stars, have proved the potential of Chinese women’s tennis; and Deng Yaping, one of the most excellent table tennis players ever, has become a member of two different IOC committees and joined the 2008 Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee in 2003.
With their efforts and passion, Chinese female sports stars are boosting the number of women practicing sports in China. They have furthermore made outstanding contributions to the development of sports around the world through their dedication.

from: beijing2008.cn