2016 Rio Olympics women's volleyball champion and leading libero Lin Li, who recently announced her retirement, said that she would be glad to start her new career as a college teacher in an interview with Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday.
Revealing her retirement via social media platform Weibo on October 24, Lin said she has since joined a college in southeast China's Fujian Province.
A screenshot of Lin Li's Weibo post on October 24 about her retirement and future career as a college teacher.
"I'm looking forward to my new career, I'm also glad that in this new position I can still dedicate myself to volleyball by coaching and popularizing sports culture."
"This means a step out of my former comfort zone, but I will adjust to the change quickly, even though there is a lot for me to learn," the Olympic champion said.
Asian Volleyball Confederation's tweet on October 27 about Lin's retirement. /@AsianVolleyball
Lin, 31, was born in Fujian and began her volleyball career there. She was among the key players in China's national team for the 2015 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
After the Rio Olympics, she was troubled by injury, but still kept training and was selected to the national team several times after as well.
Looking back at her career, Lin said the most memorable event was the Rio Olympics quarterfinal against Brazil, in which she played an important role for China to prevail in a five-set thriller.
A screenshot of a Weibo post of the IOC on October 25 about Lin Li's retirement. /IOC
"As a gold medalist of the women's volleyball team during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Lin Li left us many wonderful memories on the Olympic stage. Let's wish her all the best in the future and a happy life," read a Weibo post from the International Olympic Committee on October 25.
(With input from Xinhua)