The Maracanãzinho Gymnasium has been approved by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as a 2016 Olympic Games venue. The FIVB also approved the design of the Beach Volleyball venue in Copacabana.  The announcement was made by FIVB second executive vice-president Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, during FIVB World League Finals played by the national teams of Brazil, Serbia, Russia, Japan and Poland this weekend at the Maracanãzinho Gymnasium, in no Rio de Janeiro. Rio 2016 candidature project foresees both men’s and women’s Olympic Volleyball championships staged at Maracanãzinho.

FIVB second executive vice-president Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, praised the venue.  “ Maracanãzinho is a beautiful gymnasium offering an excellent structure and we have now approved it for the Olympic Games.   Just the two warm-up courts  will have to be adapted to  FIVB official measurements. As to Beach Volleyball,  besides their location in one of the most beautiful beaches in the world  the venues proposed for Copacabana Breach  are fully compliant with FIVB requirements”, he explained.

According to International Olympic Committee (IOC) requirements all the venues in the candidate cities must be approved by the International Federations of the different sports. Rio 2016 Candidature Committee president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, underlined the importance of FIVB’s approval. “This approval means that that Rio de Janeiro already has Olympic standard venues. Maracanãzinho was fully remodeled for the Pan American Games Rio 2007 and now offers top comfort to athletes, officials and spectators alike. World League Final Round  was a  success and to Beach Volleyball we are offering the Olympic Games the most emblematic site in the world which is Copacabana Beach”, Carlos Arthur Nuzman said.

Two-time Olympic champion national volleyball team players are also enthusiastic about Rio’s candidature for 2016 Games. “The Olympic Games would contribute to sport development and result in structural improvements to Rio de Janeiro. The friendship and respect values, which are  hallmarks of the Olympic Games, would inspire Brazilian youths”, reported libero player Serginho.