Lausanne, Switzerland, April 15, 2021: Volleyball will return to its Olympic roots in Tokyo this summer – and the leader of the sport’s governing body is confident it will showcase its global appeal.
In a special article for the Sport Intern Olympic newsletter, FIVB President Dr Ary S Graça F° of Brazil says volleyball will show how far it has come since its Olympic debut at the 1964 Games.
The women’s game, in particular, is vibrant in Japan – and has been ever since they won the gold medal at Tokyo 1964, and again in Montreal in 1976.
“Volleyball and beach volleyball will be right at the heart of these festivities, both within Japan and for the hundreds of millions of fans watching from home,” he said.
“Volleyball and beach volleyball are always among the most in-demand sports on the Olympic programme. At Rio 2016, the two disciplines combined were the most watched sports at the Games, generating 2.6 billion viewer hours globally (IOC Data Report). This is the benchmark of our success.
“In Japan I expect it to be no different. Some may not know this, but it was the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 where volleyball made its Olympic debut.
“Here, hosts Japan won the first ever women’s Olympic gold for volleyball, and our sport captured the hearts of a nation. To this day, it remains one of the most memorable sporting moments in Japanese history.
“For volleyball to return to the nation where its Olympic legacy was born is a very special moment for the global volleyball family. We have come such a long way since 1964 - and Tokyo 2020 will be the perfect opportunity for us to show just how far we’ve come, but also how much further we must and will go.”