Athens, 10 August 2004 – The FIVB leadership, which met recently at the organization’s headquarters in Lausanne, took advantage of the upcoming Olympic Games in Athens to take a close look at the development of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball.

First of all, the FIVB welcomed the success of its 29th World Congress, held in Porto (Portugal). At the event, which was honoured by the presence of the Portuguese Head of State, delegates from all five continents unanimously approved the policy of the Federation President, Dr. Rubén Acosta of Mexico. They pointed out to the international press that, during the two decades of his leadership, Dr. Acosta had overseen the investment of more than 275 million dollars in various Volleyball competitions as well as in training and development programmes. Thanks to his efforts, the FIVB has become a going concern with 35 million licensed players in 218 National Federations and assets of some 100 million dollars.

“The dogs bark, the caravan passes”, goes the proverb. Although it is unfortunately true that those who envy the success of President Acosta and his team remain active and keep spreading slander with no legal foundation whatsoever, today’s FIVB is stronger and more united than ever. In Porto, the organization unanimously adopted a resolution of support for its President. To quote from the text that the delegates heartily approved, “Whereas outside interests are striving in vain to shake the unity of the great family of Volleyball, the FIVB wishes to thank President Rubén Acosta for the rigour, complete transparency and professionalism of his leadership. Thanks to a style of management well ahead of its time, the FIVB has significantly lessened the impact of these intermediaries from the sports business world that are omnipresent around the major sports associations, to the point where it can now devote to its athletes and to the development of Volleyball throughout the world more funds than most of the major friendly yet rival federations.” The Congress went on to underscore that “the FIVB is therefore very honoured to have at its head a leader of the quality of Dr. Acosta, who is both forward-looking and effective. The FIVB intends to remain united and combative, at the side of this man whose high morals invalidate the unfounded attacks and slander that target him, and through him, all of us.”

As a sports organization, the FIVB is very proud to be a leader in terms of transparency and ethics. Viewed as a model by the Olympic Movement and the media, its Code of Conduct was recently reinforced at the Porto Congress. Moreover – and this is unique in the sports world -, all of the components of World Volleyball will have to comply with the Code in the future, be they Confederations, National Federations, clubs or athletes. As Dr. Acosta emphasised, “the fact that we are setting an example honours all those who love, follow or play Volleyball.”

Shortly before the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the FIVB also thanked its President for having conscientiously represented it on the International Olympic Committee (IOC). At the age of 69, in accordance with common practice, Dr. Acosta chose to resign his membership of the IOC. True to the commitments and passion of an entire lifetime, he will henceforth devote himself exclusively to promoting throughout the world the development of his federation, and of course through it, Volleyball and Beach Volleyball.

“My colleagues and I are unanimous in expressing the IOC’s acknowledgement of your highly appreciated support and contribution,” wrote IOC President Count Jacques Rogge in an open letter to Dr. Acosta when the latter resigned. “Rest assured that, like you, we look forward to continuing the fruitful collaboration which has always characterised the relations between the FIVB and the IOC, as well as our personal relationships.”

It is thus a strong FIVB, wealthier and more united than ever, an FIVB managed in full transparency, in the very interests of innovative projects and Volleyball players of all five continents that will welcome athletes, media and the general public from all over the world to the magnificent venues in Greece.

In closing, a word from Dr. Rubén Acosta: “Welcome to the great summer celebration of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball!”