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Ex-China volleyballer Wang Yunlu says missing Paris Olympics made her feel like a ‘failure’ Outside hitter breaks her silence on being dropped by head coach Cai Bin just before the 2024 Games, a decision that sparked public backlash Former China national volleyball player Wang Yunlu tearfully confessed, in an in-depth video interview released on Wednesday, that her career felt like a “failure” after being dropped from the Paris Olympics roster at the last minute. Wang spent more than two years as an indispensable starter during the Paris Olympic cycle, stepping up when stars Zhu Ting and Zhang Changning were sidelined with injury. However, she was left off the final squad following the return of key veterans and roster constraints, the decision triggering fierce public backlash against head coach Cai Bin. Speaking candidly about her omission in the interview hosted by Shen Qunqi, a presenter for Shanghai Radio and Television’s sports channel, Wang struggled to hold back tears. “Failing to make it to Paris, I still feel that I am a failure,” she said. Despite the painful outcome, Wang harboured no resentment towards Cai, emphasising that she remained deeply grateful for his mentorship after he revived her international career. Born in 1996, Wang rose to prominence early by winning best outside hitter at the World Youth Championship. However, after years away from the national team during her peak, she was recalled before the Paris cycle.