ACOG - News - IBM

(23 July 1996; Day 04)

Traditional Men's Volleyball Powers Struggling in Atlanta

Although the Olympic Games are contested only once every four years there are certain countries that fans around the world recognize as the leaders in specific sports. Fans know every four years that the Kenyans will dominate men's track and field distance races, Cuba will bring an outstanding boxing team and the United States and the Eastern European countries will battle for supremacy in women's swimming.

Such is the case in men's volleyball where for the past 32 years, the Russian Federation and Brazil have been two of the most consistent teams in the world. As part of the former Soviet Union, Russia dominated the sport from 1950-1970 winning a total of six world and Olympic Games championships. Brazil arrived on the international scene in the mid 1970's and have been a consistent contender for World and Olympic Games titles ever since. Consider that between the two powers they have won eight Olympic Games medals and recorded 16 top five finishes at the world championships.

And as the world came to Atlanta, more of the same was expected from both Russia and Brazil as each was considered a medal contender. Instead, neither team has been able to win a match after Tuesday's play. Equally staggering is the fact that they have combined to win only two sets and both were swept in their last matches.

"For a national team to keep losing and losing at the Olympic Games is difficult to take," said Brazilian star Tande SAMUEL. "It bothers me very much and I just can't believe it. We've trained hard, in fact we train harder than anyone in the world, but we are not getting the results. If I keep on talking about this I might even cry."

The Russian players share the sentiment of their counterparts from South America.

"Strange things are happening to this team," said Pavel CHICHKIN of Russia. "We're putting in a lot of effort, but we're having trouble scoring points. We understand our situation and we know what we have to do."

Both teams have the talent and ability to bounce back and qualify for the medal round, which would only enhance the reputation of each country. But for now both teams are leaving the volleyball experts shaking their collective heads.

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


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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.