Elaine Youngs is back for her third Olympics, a volleyball career that takes her from the U.S. indoor team in Atlanta to the sands of the beach volleyball venue in Beijing.
And she can hardly believe what she's seeing.
"I've been through the bankruptcy of the '90s, and all that. To come from where we were to now, it's amazing," she said Thursday. "The NBC television package, the great sponsors, the prize money. The sport has grown hugely. We're the hottest ticket in the Olympics."
Brazilian talisman Giba confident of landing Olympic Games gold for soon-to-arrive so
After missing out on their first major FIVB international tournament in six years at the recent World League, the Brazil Men's team, the defending Olympic champions, appeared confident at the training court in Beijing on Wednesday.
Brazil have been on such a hot win streak over the years that their talismanic captain Giba has forgotten how long it was since they last lost a major tournament.
"Along the eight years Brazil won everything, every championship. Losing the one at the World League this year is one small mistake one time in eight years. It's normal. We are still very confident with ourselves," said Giba.
In fact, Brazil also lost out at the 2002 World League to Russia but that was the last major trophy they failed to lift till USA won the 2008 World League Finals in Rio de Janeiro in late July.
Venezuela vows to fight against China at Beijing Games
Going into the Women's Olympic Volleyball Tournament for the first time, South American representatives Venezuela on Tuesday vowed to fight against reigning champions and hosts China in their debut match scheduled for August 9.
"There is no strategy when we compete against such a strong team. China is the defending champion and they have the best defence," said Venezuela Head Coach Tomas Fernandez after their training at the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium.
"However, we will try to perform bravely, but I don't think that a miracle can happen."
The Chinese women, who rallied past Russia in a thrilling five-set final at the Athens Games, will start their title-defending journey by playing the young Venezuelans, whose average age is below 20.
"Our team is a very young team, the most important goal for this Olympic Games is to make progress and gain experience for the next Olympic Games," said Fernandez.
"We are lacking in technical skills and also in international exposure. But we are trying to gain more experience at the international level to improve our skills."
At the age of 25, Desiree Guillermina Glod John is the oldest player of her team.
"I feel good because we are here at the Olympics," she said. " Our girls are young, but in my heart I feel we are coming here to fight. We will fight every team and for every ball." (Xinhua)
SA Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said Tuesday that Brazil are still the team to beat at the upcoming Olympic Games. Speaking at the United States Olympic Committee press conference, Kiwi McCutcheon played down Team USA's recent 3-0 triumph over Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on the way to claiming their first World League title and said the reigning Olympic champions will be a different proposition in Beijing. Team USA players Lloy Ball, Tom Hoff and Ryan Miller also gave their opinions.
What does Lloy Ball bring to the team?
McCutcheon: He’s technically sound, but the biggest value he adds in this quadrennial is his experience, his maturity, he has a lot of experience to draw from. The strength of this team is that we don’t have any stars. Our success is coming from our ability to out compete and out-team our opponents.
Head Coaches gather to preview Olympic Volleyball Tournaments at press conference
The Head Coaches of the 24 Men’s and Women’s Volleyball teams taking part in the Olympic Games spoke at an official FIVB press conference at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing after the FIVB General Technical Meeting on Friday.
World No. 3 the United States recovered from a Venezuelan surge to win a five-set thriller 25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 21-25 and 15-10 in the third pool A match of Men's Volleyball on Sunday, August 10, at Capital Gymnasium.
Brazil powered past a battling Egypt side in straight sets 25-19, 25-15, 25-18 in pool B of the Men's Volleyball tournament at the Capital Gymnasium on Sunday, August 10.
Bulgaria struggled hard to defeat the host team 25-20, 25-21 26-28 and 25-19 in match five of the Men's Volleyball tournament on Sunday, August 10, at the Capital Gymnasium. The next Men's Volleyball match will see Poland face Germany at 10:20 p.m. tonight.
Women's Volleyball Day 2 Preview: Early winners aim for top spots in pools
Winners from day one of the Women's Volleyball tournament will try to create some distance at the top of pools on day two (Monday, August 11), led by Brazil and China who dominated their opening-day opponents. Defending Olympic champion China will meet Poland in pool A, while World No. 1 Brazil and traditional powerhouse Russia will face off in pool B.
2008 Olympic Games aug 8-24
2008 Olympic Games aug 8-24
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