Venezuela release roster for Tokyo Olympics

The players who will represent Venezuela when the country’s men's team return to the Olympics are now known as head coach Ronald Sarti has announced the 12-player squad that will make the trip to Tokyo next month.

Sarti put his trust in the team that won the South American Tokyo Volleyball Qualification event, in January 2020, which was the last international tournament played by the Venezuelans. He called up 12 players who were part of that roster, including setter and team captain Jose ‘Chema’ Carrasco, opposite Emerson Rodriguez and middle blocker Edson Valencia.

The team are currently in Turkey, the final stop of their preparation in Europe before their trip to Japan. The Venezuelans, who were in Belgium before that, are scheduled to remain in the city of Ankara until July 8 when they head to Sendai. There they will practise and play friendly matches against France, Argentina and Poland before heading to Tokyo and entering the Olympic Village on July 21.

The Venezuelans have also been in the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Brazil, where they played friendly matches against the reigning Olympic champions.

Set to appear at the Olympics for just the second time after finishing ninth at the 2008 Beijing Games, the Venezuelans will be in Pool A in Tokyo. They will play Japan (July 24), Iran (July 26), Poland (July 28), Canada (July 30) and Italy (August 1) in the preliminary round.

Venezuela’s Olympic Roster

· Setters – Jose ‘Chema’ Carrasco, Armando Velasquez

· Opposites – Emerson Rodriguez, Luis Arias

· Outside Hitters – Eliecer Canelo, Fernando Gonzalez, Ronald Fayola, Willner Rivas

· Middle Blockers – Edson Valencia, Jose Verdi, Robert Oramas

· Libero – Hector Mata