Ariake Arena the latest in string of iconic Olympic venues

Lausanne, Switzerlands, December 18, 2016 – The Ariake Arena, which was confirmed on Friday to host the volleyball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, is the latest in a string of iconic volleyball venues since the sport was introduced to the Olympic Programme in 1968 – the last time that the Olympics came to the Japanese capital.Here’s a rundown of all the venues that hosted Olympic volleyball matches since Tokyo 1968:Tokyo 1964 – The inaugural volleyball tournament at the Olympic Games was held at the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium (with a few matches also hosted by the Komazawa Volleyball Courts). The Yokohama venue continues to this day to host various sporting and cultural events.Mexico City 1968 – The Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium was the principal volleyball venue of the Mexico City Games. Named after a cadet who died at the age of 19 at the Battle of Chapultepec (when United States forces clashed with the Mexican army defending Mexico City in 1847), the venue continues to host important volleyball competitions – most recently the Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournament for the Rio 2016 Games.Munich 1972 – The volleyball competition of the Munich 1972 Olympic Games was played in the Volleyballhalle of the city’s Olympiapark, which continues to serve as a hive of activity attracting residents and visitors to this day.Japan (foreground) and East Germany at the Volleyballhalle in Olympiapark at Munich 1972.Montreal 1976 – The Montreal Forum hosted the volleyball finals of the 1976 Games – an iconic venue of the city since 1924. Following the Olympic Games it was declared a National Historic Site of Canada and continues to host sporting and cultural events. The secondary venue of the Montreal Games was the Paul Sauve Arena (named after the Premier of Quebec 1995-60), which was demolished in 1992.Moscow 1980 – The Minor Arena of the …

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