One of Israel’s sports pioneers and teachers, Chaim Wein was a founder of the Eretz Yisroel Sports Federation in 1931, and served its successor, the Israel Olympic Committee, as deputy chairman from 1957 to 1963. He was named a member of the Presidium of Israel’s Sports Federation in 1957 beginning, and served as its chairman for many years.

Wein was chairman of the Sports Committee of Maccabi World Union (MWU) from 1944 to 1962, and head of the Organizing Committee for the 9th (1973) and 10th (1977) Maccabiah Games. He took an active role in every Maccabiah from 1932 to 1981, and was involved in preparations the 12th Games, but passed away a year before the 1985 event.

In 1983, International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch presented him with the prestigious Olympic Order. He was only the second Israeli to be awarded the honor.

Wein immigrated to Palestine in 1921, and was schooled in physical education in Denmark 1931-32, where he received his degree. A Holy Land physical education teacher, Wein was director of the Palestine-Israel Physical Education Teachers College from 1944 to 1960, and supervisor of physical education in Israel from 1960 to 1981.