Volleyball
(www.athens2004.com)
Updated: 2004-07-29 10:40

A YMCA physical education teacher, William G. Morgan, in his attempt to find an indoor team game with a minimal risk of injury, invented the sport of Volleyball in 1895, at the YMCA branch of Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. Its initial name was "Mintonette". Within a short period of time, however, and after an exhibition game took place, it was renamed to Volleyball.

Description

The aim of both Volleyball and Beach Volleyball games is to pass the ball over the net so that it hits the ground on the opponent's court, while preventing the opposing team from doing the same.

There are two Volleyball disciplines: Volleyball and Beach Volleyball.

Volleyball competitions are held in indoor courts, by two teams of twelve, each with six players in the game and six on reserve. The competition area for each team measures 9 x 9 metres. Beach volleyball competitions are held in sandy courts, by two teams of two players each. The competition area for each team measures 8 x 8 metres.

ATHENS 2004 Volleyball

During the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games, the Volleyball competition will take place at the Peace and Friendship Stadium at the Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex, which has a total capacity of 14,000 seats. The competition programme will span over 16 days, from 14 to 29 August 2004. Men's and women's matches will be held every other day, beginning in the morning and ending at night. 288 athletes from different countries will participate at the Athens Olympic Games (12 men's and 12 women's teams of 12 players each).

Beach Volleyball will be staged at the Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre, which is part of the Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex. Competition will take place over twelve days (August 14 – 25).

For the first time in the Olympic history of the sport, games will take place late until in the evening with floodlights. The Olympic Venue will have a main competition area of a 10,000-seat