(July 23, 2002)

2002 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour in Greece

RHODOS GREECE (July 23, 2002) The 2002 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour has moved south to Greece to the fabulous island of Rhodes where the best women Beach Volleyballers in the world will compete for the Hellas Open. Greece hosts an international FIVB Beach Volleyball Tournament for the first time this year following two very successful seasons with Challenger events at the northern Peloponnese in Xylokastro as the country prepares in earnest for the 2004 Olympic games in Athens,

"It is the first time that our country hosts a top-level professional event and I am sure that it will attract fans for a great high level show," said Thanasis Belegratis, President of the Hellenic Beach Volleyball Association. The Center Court is set up right in front of the Town Hall of the City of Rhodos, reflecting the important status of the event and everybody including the Mayor, Giorgos Giannopoulos, is on hand to get everything ready for the first major "Beach Party" in this historic city.

"We are very proud to have the first Greek Beach Volleyball tournament in our city," said Giannopoulos, after himself coordinating the final touches to the Center Court.

Rhodes is the fourth largest among 10,000 Greek islands and well known for its more than 300 sunny days a year, and where temperatures are in excess of 30 degrees during the summer months. Over one million visitors come to the Island each year, which offers a rich historical heritage along with its beautiful beaches. The Island is only 75 km long and 35 km in wide, but its historic roots go back to the 2nd millennium BC. The ancient city walls of the city of Rhodos, the cobblestone streets and the typical white houses create the magic to transport visitors back in time.

As in many Mediterranean countries, Greece slows to a halt in the afternoons, with streets, shops and restaurants again bursting into life after sunset when the island is bathed in cooler temperatures. According to this age-old rhythm, matches here at the Hellas Open will be held in morning and evening sessions, starting at 0900 hours and 1730 hours, with the finals being played at 2145 hours on Sunday.

Prominent American teams are among the favorites for the first Greek title. Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs captured last week's Grand Slam crown in Marseilles, France and will certainly provoke compatriots and current holders of the Speedo Gold Tops, Kerri Walsh and Misty May again. Australians Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst and Adriana Behar and Shelda of Brazil will also be out to win their first gold medal this season.

Local hopes are pinned on the Greek number one team Vasso Karadassiou and Efi Sfyri, who have been playing on the international circuit since 1994, and their young stars Thalia Koutroumanidou and Katerina Nikolaidou.

The qualification tournament started Tuesday with 45 teams battling for eight tickets to the Main Draw. The first 22 teams received a Bye and automatically advanced to the next round. An update on the other matches is expected by 2100 hours local time.

[Source: FIVB Press Delegate Michaela Binder onsite: Phone: ++ 43 69919540276 or e-mail: michaela_binder@gmx.at Press Center Rhodos: Tel. ++30 241 043753, Fax ++30 241 036631]