ACOG - News - IBM

(19 July 1996)

Defending Gold Medalist Cuba Opens Against Canada

Defending Olympic Games gold medalist Cuba opens defense of its title on Saturday (20 July) versus Canada at the University of Georgia in Athens highlighting the opening day of women's volleyball competition.

Cuba, which is led by veterans Magaly CARVAJAL RIVERA and Mireya LUIS, will face Canada at 16:30. Japan and Korea will square off in the second match in Athens.

The Netherlands will face the People's Republic of China at 10:00 in the opening match of the competition in the Omni Coliseum, which will be followed by the Russian Federation and Germany.

Brazil and the United States, who are both expected to challenge for medal honors, open play Saturday night in the Omni. The United States, the 1992 Barcelona Games bronze medalist, will battle the Ukraine at 19:30, while Brazil, led by international superstar Ana MOSER, faces Peru.

The men's volleyball competition begins on Sunday (21 July) with matches being played in the Omni Coliseum and the University of Georgia. Defending Olympic Games champion Brazil, reigning world champion Italy, 1992 silver medalist the Netherlands and the United States will all see action.

Tunisia will face the Netherlands in the opening men's match of the competition at 10:00 in the Omni Coliseum followed by Korea and Italy.

Yugoslavia and Russia will play at 16:00 at the University of Georgia followed by Bulgaria and Cuba.

The top two opening round matches will be held in the Omni Coliseum beginning at 19:30 when the United States faces Poland. Brazil and Argentina will face each other in the final match of the opening round.

Some of the top men's volleyball players to watch are Marcelo NEGRAO (BRA), Paolo TOFOLI and Andrea GARDINI (ITA) and Bob CTVRTLIK (USA).

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Roger McAfee



Olympic Factoid
An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games.