By Nick Butler at the Radisson Blue Paradise Hotel in Sochi

President Ary Graca described this morning how he plans to raise the profile of volleyball within the Olympic Movement ©FIVBFebruary 10 - Ary Graça, President of the International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB), has outlined plans to modernise the sport and expand its profile within the Olympic Movement.


Speaking this morning while attending Sochi 2014, as well as last week's International Olympic Commitee (IOC) Session here, the Brazilian described the importance of "giving the FIVB a clear voice at this crucial time in the development of the Olympic Movement."

"It has been clear in the discussions that have taken place over the past few days that we are about to embark on a period of significant change," he said

"The FIVB is fully committed to the Olympic Agenda 2020 and we are keen to use the experience we have gained and the successes we have achieved to help the IOC in the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

Following the 24-year Presidency of Mexico's Ruben Acosta that was tinged with corruption allegations until his departure in 2008, the four year term of China's Jizhong Wei attempted to bring back some stability to the organisation.

But Graça, who replaced Wei in September 2012, criticises his predecessors failure to occupy a higher profile and sees himself in a position now to propel the sport forward. 

Ary Graca displays his lively personality when celebrating being elected President in 2012...but he also has many ideas to take the sport forward ©FIVBAry Graça displays his lively personality when celebrating being elected President in 2012...but he also has many ideas to take the sport forward ©FIVB

"In the last 20 years we have been too far from the Olympic Movement - this was not correct," he said.

"We need to be part of the family, contributing but most of all learning as they are much more experienced than us."

In this regard he has introduced a re-structuring of the organisation to "make it more like a company where if you don't perform then you are out" as well as to increase democracy and participation levels so all voices are heard. 

Better use of social media is another focus as well as making the sport more accessible to a modern and television-orientated audience.

To do this Graça outlined several proposed rule changes, including decreasing the number of time-outs to just one and limiting the time between points to 15 seconds.

After attending a match here at the Olympics yesterday, he also plans to emulate ice hockey in speeding up the use of substitutions due to the fact that, in volleyball, you can currently lose two minutes for each substitution, he explained.

During a wide-ranging discussion in which he considered many areas of the game in a refreshingly open and honest fashion, Graça also hopes to build on the success of recent events, such as the London 2012 beach volleyball competition on Horse Guards Parade. 

The London 2012 volleyball competition provided a boost to the sport ©Getty ImagesThe London 2012 beach volleyball competition provided a boost to the sport ©Getty Images




"Today we have 40 countries in Africa playing beach volleyball and we also have a very strong social development programme for Asia and Africa," Graça said.

"Volleyball is the sport of the family because it is non-contact so can be played together by people of all ages and backgrounds." 

Graça also welcomed the idea of a World Beach Games tournament - currently being discussed by Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah and SportAccord chief Marius Vizer -  because this would be "good mainly for young people."

Despite referring to the problems in preparation for the Games, Graça unsurprisingly eagerly anticipates the next Olympic Games on home turf in Rio where the beach competition will take place on the iconic Copacobana Beach. 

"Rio is a gift from heaven and by 2016 it will be ready," he said. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2014: FIVB President addresses students at Russian International Olympic University
December 2013:  FIVB Sports Events Council approves new four-year volleyball calendar
June 2013: Decision to scrap London beach volleyball event disappoints FIVB President  
September 2012: Brazilian elected as new President of FIVB  
September 2012: Brazilian favourite to become new President of FIVB