FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° today met with the volleyball and beach volleyball refereeing teams in Tokyo with both competitions set to get underway on 24 July 2021.
The refereeing teams for the Games consist of the most experienced, accurate and capable referees in the sport. They play a key role in ensuring that all volleyball and beach volleyball matches at the Games are played with 100 per cent adherence to the rules and with fairness and respect.
During the meeting, the FIVB President said:
“There is no volleyball or beach volleyball without good referees. You must all feel very proud to be here, it means that you are the best prepared, well trained and some of the most experienced referees in the world.
“The Olympic Games is a very important competition, and with your training and skills you will all help volleyball and beach volleyball be among the best events here in Tokyo.”
Dr Ary Graça F° also talked about the importance of the highly successful Challenge System which was introduced for the first time at the Olympic Games Rio 2016. It has been used in all of the FIVB’s volleyball and beach volleyball competitions since Rio and has been a gamechanger for both players and referees alike.
The FIVB President also reiterated the importance of following the COVID-19 protocols outlined in the Tokyo 2020 Playbooks which are vital in the organisation of a safe and secure Games.
The Tokyo 2020 volleyball and beach volleyball events will be staged in the Ariake Arena and Shiokaze Park respectively.