The 2021 VNL resulted in just one positive COVID-19 case ©Getty Images

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) have called the 2021 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) a "success" after the month-long competition showed just one positive case of COVID-19 from thousands of tests.

Taking place from May 28 to June 27, the competition was held under a bubble system with COVID-19 protocols in place.

All participants were required to produce negative test results both prior to their departure to Rimini in Italy and upon arrival.

In-competition tests were also compulsory for all participants every four days, along with another polymerase chain reaction (PCR) exit test before departing the country.

There were 2,250 PCR and 7,920 antigen tests conducted at the event over 38 days, while protocols such as quarantining were implemented alongside testing.

The VNL bubble held over 1,000 people, including 572 volleyball players and more than 100 members of the television production team.

"In preparation for the VNL 2021 and during the tournament itself, our ultimate goal was to ensure the health and well-being of all members of the global volleyball family at the event," said FIVB President Ary Graça.

"Our team of professionals, led by the FIVB Medical Commission and the VNL COVID-19 Taskforce, put in place a number of rigorous measures which were key to ensuring a safe, secure and successful VNL 2021.

"We are delighted that all the teams have now safely returned to their home countries.

"Of course, I would also like to thank the participants for respecting the rules and working together with the FIVB, Volleyball World and the event organisers RCS Sports and Events, to ensure everyone's safety which allowed incredible volleyball action to take centre stage."

The only positive case from the VNL came from a bus driver who took the German men's national volleyball team from the hotel to the training venue and back.

Following this test result, the driver was removed from the bubble and placed in quarantine, while the German team underwent additional testing and came back negative.

Three Argentina players were temporarily banned from the VNL after they were deemed by the FIVB to have "violated the mandatory quarantine by leaving their hotel rooms".

Their accreditations were restored a few days later.

Brazil and the United States won the men's and women's VNL titles last month respectively.