Ary S. Graça has received backing from all five Continental Confederations ©FIVB

Ary S. Graça looks odds on for a second term as President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) after a public show of support from the sport's five Continental Confederations.

The Brazilian was first elected at the FIVB World Congress in Anaheim in the United States in September 2012 and tasked with leading the sport into his home Olympic Games this year in Rio de Janeiro.

A joint statement of backing has now been signed by the five continental Presidents, including Aleksandar Boricic, President of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), and African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) head Amr Elwani.

South American Volleyball Confederation (CSV) President Rafael Lloreda Currea, Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) head Saleh Ahmad Bin Nasser and North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) chief Cristobal Marte Hoffiz are also signatories.

It means that 72-year-old Graça, who is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Italian as well as his native Portuguese, is highly likely to be ushered back into power at this year's FIVB World Congress in Buenos Aires in Argentina, on October 5 and 6.

Beach volleyball on the Copacabana could be a highlight of Rio 2016
Beach volleyball on the Copacabana could be a highlight of Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

He also looks set to have an eight-year term which will run until 2024 after his initial four year spell.

The statement from the Confederation heads, which was signed following a meeting in Olympic capital Lausanne, said that the FIVB had masterminded "outstanding  achievements" under Graça's leadership.

It also claimed that the success of the sport's World Championships in 2014 in Italy and Poland had been "extraordinary" and said that "passionate" work had been carried out to make volleyball the "number one family sport in the world".

"We, the Presidents of the five Continental Confederations, are proud to present our full support to the candidature of Dr Ary S. Graça for his re-election for the period 2016-2024, in order to consolidate the growth of the past four years and to prepare for the future under his guidance, passion and drive of a leader with positive approach and renowned intelligence," the statement said.

Volleyball, which is hugely popular in Brazil, has been tipped to be a highlight of Rio 2016. 

The beach volleyball competitions, which will take place on the world famous Copacabana Beach, could provide the Games with some of its most memorable images.

The full letter supporting Graça can be read here.