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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, 09
November 2004 - The Beijing 2008 Olympic
Organising Committee has surprised the FIVB by
proposing a new Beach Volleyball venue after
Tiananmen Square had been officially approved in
an official signed document by the Beijing 2008
Bidding Committee, the city of Beijing and the
FIVB. The FIVB has no choice but to reject the
new venue.
According to the Olympic Charter the FIVB is the
only body competent to approve venues for its
sport. Even if the IOC agrees with BOCOG
regarding technical aspects of the venue, it is
not the sole competence of the IOC or BOCOG to
make such an evaluation. The FIVB faces the same
issue with Volleyball. It will continue to seek
a solution with BOCOG which must recognise the
FIVB as the body responsible for making the
final technical evaluation of and approving the
venues for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. The
FIVB has communicated to BOCOG its firm
intention to carry out an inspection visit
shortly.
When a venue is officially approved by a Bidding
Committee and an International Federation, it
cannot be changed without the formal approval of
the latter. Otherwise, this constitutes total
disrespect of the IF concerned, the IOC
Evaluation Commission and the IOC Session in
Moscow.
"We cannot accept the arguments presented by the
IOC", said the FIVB General Manager, Jean-Pierre
Seppey. "To bring up logistical complications
and to say that the image of Tiananmen Square
would be jeopardised by Beach Volleyball doesn't
make sense. Last October famous French showman,
Jean-Michel Jarre gave a huge concert on the
Square. The success of that giant popular event
can only prove that Beach Volleyball, with its
philosophy of bringing entertainment to the
heart of the city, can also be a plus on
Tiananmen Square at Beijing 2008."
"We have a signed commitment; the venue had been
duly approved by the Beijing 2008 Bidding
Committee and the FIVB. We will stand firm on
our rights clearly stated in the Olympic
Charter," concluded the FIVB President, Dr.
Rubén Acosta.
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