Capacity will not be reduced at the beach volleyball venue on Copacabana Bay, Rio 2016 have insisted ©Rio 2016

Rio 2016 and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) have played down concerns that the number of tickets for the Olympic beach competition on Copacabana Bay will be reduced, insisting only "infrastructural" changes are taking place.

Organising Committee director of communications Mario Andrada was widely reported to have suggested seating would be reduced at the venue this week. 

But this was due to "ambiguity" over his remarks, insidethegames has now been told, with reductions consisting only of "behind the scenes" changes such as reducing the VIP facilities and shared areas for Games clients.

Beach volleyball remains one of the most eagerly anticipated events at the Games at the iconic new 12,000 seater venue, and they claim to be hopeful of sellout crowds throughout the tournament.

"The FIVB would like to clarify that there are no plans to reduce the stadium capacity at the Rio 2016 beach volleyball venue," the world governing body also told insidethegames today.

"The FIVB has had discussions with the Rio 2016 organisers about exploring ways where cost cutting measures could be implemented however this did not include reducing the number of seats at the venue.

"In fact, the FIVB is confident that the capacity on Copacabana Beach will be at least 12,000 and beach volleyball will still be one of the signature events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games."

World champion Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt will be leading the home charge on Copacabana Bay ©Getty Images
World champions Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt will be leading the home charge on Copacabana Bay ©Getty Images

Fears over Rio's budget are growing nonetheless in the midst of the host nation's worst recession for 20 years.

It was announced in October that budgets will be cut by around 30 per cent, with infrastructure and the volunteer programme suggested as the main affected areas.

There is no doubt about the plans to scrap the 4,000 capacity stands at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas rowing and canoe sprint venue, meanwhile.

A meeting should take place between Rio 2016 top brass and representatives from both the International Rowing Federation (FISA) and the International Canoe Federation (ICF) on February 1 and 2.

Video conferences and other lower level meetings will be held before then, including one with ICF secretary general Simon Toulson scheduled for tomorrow.

FISA executive director Matt Smith told insidethegames last month how they "have been told on several occasions by top Rio 2016 people that the floating grandstand is not in question".

No other venues are expected to have their seating shrunk, a Rio spokesman has claimed.