The FIVB has announced further changes to its volleyball, beach volleyball, and snow volleyball event calendars, following the evaluation and reassessment of its events in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
With the protection of the health and wellbeing of the players, officials, and fans as its top priority, the FIVB has been regularly monitoring the global situation in cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and other relevant international and national health and sports authorities. Following discussions with the National Federations, promoters, and event organisers, a number of decisions have been taken across all three volleyball disciplines.
Beach volleyball
In view of the current global travel limitations, the FIVB and the event organisers have mutually agreed to the following changes to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour calendar in June:
• 4-star event scheduled for 3-7 June in Moscow, Russia – cancelled
• 5-star event scheduled for 9-14 June in Rome, Italy – cancelled
• 1-star event scheduled for 11-14 June in Miguel Pereira, Brazil – postponed
• 1-star event scheduled for 11-14 in Raja Ampat, Indonesia – postponed
• 1-star event scheduled for 12-14 June in Ios, Greece – postponed
Regarding the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 5-star event in Rome, Italy, co-organised by the FIVB, Sport e Salute, the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), all the parties have reiterated their commitment to hosting a successful beach volleyball event in 2021 with respect and sustainability as its core principles. However, with the health and wellbeing of all participants being the highest priority of all the co-organisers, it has been decided to cancel the event in 2020. The FIVB will continue to work closely with Sport e Salute, FIPAV and CONI on the future events.
In light of the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the FIVB is in contact with the IOC regarding the revision of the beach volleyball qualification system. All changes will be communicated to the relevant stakeholders as soon as possible. The qualification places for the Olympic volleyball competitions have already been decided and will not be impacted by the decision to postpone the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Volleyball
The men’s and women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup 2020 events due to be hosted in Gondomar, Portugal and Zadar, Croatia respectively on 24-28 June, have been postponed until further notice. This is due to these events serving as opportunities for emerging volleyball nations to potentially qualify for, and compete in, next year’s edition of the prestigious Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2021. This year’s edition of the event, the VNL 2020, has already been postponed.
Snow Volleyball
Following a request received from the Argentinian Volleyball Federation (FEVA), a decision has been made to cancel the Snow Volleyball World Tour event in Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina scheduled to take place from 20-23 August.
All the above-mentioned changes have been adopted as the fairest solution for the players and in the best interests of everyone involved. The FIVB stands in solidarity with all members of the global volleyball family and expresses its deepest sympathies to those affected by the outbreak.
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