Dr. Rubén Acosta and Mr. João Havelange

Lausanne, Switzerland, 4 May, 2005 - At the invitation of the FIVB President, Dr. Rubén Acosta, and his wife, Ms. Malú Acosta, Mr. João Havelange - IOC Dean and FIFA Honorary President - was welcomed Wednesday at the FIVB headquarters.

This visit epitomises the long-standing ties of friendship that exist between Mr. Havelange and the Acosta Family. On many occasions, Mr. Havelange has given assistance and support to Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, and has earned this community's deep respect and sincere admiration for the pertinent advice he has provided over the years.

Today's meeting enabled Dr. Acosta and his wife to thank their visitor and to broach various topical themes, including the development of sport and the FIVB's projects.

An IOC Member since 1963, Brazilian João Havelange was at the helm of FIFA from 1974 to 1998. He has behind him an extraordinarily rich professional and sporting career. A water-polo specialist (he was a silver medallist at the Pan-American Games), he is also a keen swimming fan who took part in the Berlin Olympic Games of 1936. In addition, he led the Brazilian delegation to the Games of the 16th Olympiad in Melbourne in 1956.

"João Havelange is a tenor of international sport! He has made a tremendous contribution to sport at the global level - for over 60 years, a quite extraordinary feat. Under his leadership, football has experienced exponential growth throughout the world. João Havelange has adapted this sport to the media's modern-day requirements and ensured widespread participation by developing it on all continents. The Volleyball community, and more particularly the FIVB, have always followed the example of this fraternal guide in their effort to make Volleyball and Beach Volleyball the great sports disciplines which they have become today," stated Dr Rubén Acosta.