The road to Beijing: drawing of lots in Tokyo for the World Qualification Tournaments, the last step to the Olympic stage

The road to Beijing: drawing of lots in Tokyo for the World Qualification Tournaments, the last step to the Olympic stage

Lausanne, 23 January 2008 – The FIVB announced today that the drawing of lots for the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments will be held at Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo on 3 March 2008. While some Continental Olympic Qualification are still ongoing, the FIVB is preparing the third and last step of the qualification process that will lead 24 of the best Volleyball teams of the world to Beijing 2008.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournaments will be played in Germany, Japan and Portugal. In addition to the three organisers and four Asian teams taking part in Japan (the tournament in Tokyo is also the Asian Qualifier), the participation of nine teams is confirmed as per the World Ranking and the relative continental rule (World Ranking in brackets):

3 CEV: Poland (5), Spain (6), Italy (10)

2 NORCECA: Puerto Rico (8), Cuba (17)

2 AVC: Indonesia (7 at Asian Cont. Championship), Chinese Taipei (8 at Asian Cont. Championship)

1 CSV: Argentina (6)

1 CAVB: TBD

• May 23-25, Dusseldorf, Germany

4 teams: Germany + 3 teams decided by drawing of lots
• May 30 - June 1, Espinho, Portugal

4 teams: Portugal + 3 teams decided by drawing of lots
• May 31 - June 8, Tokyo, Japan

8 teams: Japan + 4 Asian teams best ranked in the Asian Continental Championship (Australia, Korea, Iran, Thailand) + 3 teams decided by drawing of lots. The 2 Olympic berths are assigned to the best team plus the best Asian team in the final standings.

Olympic Games 2008 Men's Volleyball

1. China (host country)

2. Brazil (1. World Cup)

3. Russia (2. World Cup)

4. Bulgaria (3. World Cup)

5. (African Qualification Tournament)

6. (Asian Qualification Tournament) *

7. Serbia (European Qualification Tournament)

8. U.S.A. (Norceca Qualification Tournament)

9. Venezuela (South American Qualification Tournament)

10. (World Olympic Qualification Tournament - Germany)

11. (World Olympic Qualification Tournament - Japan)

12. (World Olympic Qualification Tournament - Portugal)

* The Asian Continental Qualification Tournaments are played combined with the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments in Japan

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Women’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament, in addition to Japan as organiser and three Asian teams (as for Men’s event, the tournament in Tokyo is also the Asian Qualifier), the participation of four non-Asian teams is confirmed as per the World Ranking and the relative continental rule:

2 CEV: Serbia (7) and Poland (9)

1 NORCECA: Dominican Republic (14)

1 CSV or CAVB: Peru (13) or TBD (one play-off match will determine which continent gains a place).

• May 17-25, Tokyo, Japan
8 teams: Japan + 3 Asian teams best ranked in the Asian Continental Championship (Thailand, Korea, Kazakhstan) + 4 best World ranked teams.
The 4 Olympic berths are assigned to the best 3 teams plus the best Asian team.

Olympic Games 2008 Women's Volleyball

1. China (host country)
2. Italy (1. World Cup)
3. Brazil (2. World Cup)
4. USA (3. World Cup)
5. (African Qualification Tournament)
6. (Asian Qualification Tournament) *
7. Russia (European Qualification Tournament)
8. Cuba (Norceca Qualification Tournament)
9. Venezuela (South American Qualification Tournament)
10. (World Qualification Tournament)
11. (World Qualification Tournament)
12. (World Qualification Tournament)
* The Asian Continental Qualification Tournaments are played combined with the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments in Japan