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Sochi Salute from Ukolov
- Updated: May 2, 2016
Sochi, Russia, May 2, 2016 – For Russian Beach Volleyball standout Evgeniya Ukolova, this week’s FIVB World Tour stop on the Sport Inn courts next to the Black Sea will be very enjoyable as compared to other venues she and Ekaterina Birlova have performed at since the start of the qualifying process for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Ukolova and compatriot Konstantin Semenov appeared at a mid-day media session here Monday prior to the start of this week’s US$150,000 Sochi Open where qualifying session will be played Tuesday to determine the final eight berths for the opening men’s and women’s Main Draw pool play matches Wednesday on the four Sport Inn courts.
“I just like playing close to the sea or ocean,” said Ukolova, who will celebrate her 27th birthday May 17. “The atmosphere is so different when playing in a resort location as compared to playing in a big city like Moscow. The people seem more relax as they stroll along with the boardwalk and can casually watch the Beach Volleyball action on the side courts.”
A FAVORITE
Ukolova said the Sochi venue is one of her favorite stops on the tour. “The women’s host hotel is next to the center court and less than 100 meters from the side courts,” Ukolova noted. “It is great when you can walk out of your room and take a few steps and you have arrived on the court. After the match, a few more steps and you are back in your room taking a shower.”
The fan support for the Sochi Open has also impressed Ukolova. “Sochi loves sports,” Ukolova said as representatives from the local sports organizations attended Monday’s press conference. “Obviously, the 2014 Winter Olympics put Sochi on the map. And last week, the world was watching the Formula One race that was held very close to here. And Sochi will be one of the featured venues for the 2018 soccer world cup.”
SHUTTLE
Semenov agreed with Ukolova, but added that the men have to take “a three-minute shuttle ride to the courts. Just kidding about the shuttle as the Sport Inn facility for playing and practicing is great. Hopefully, we can get weather like today for the rest of the week. If not, it is just great playing in a venue that provides an excellent opportunity to watch the best Beach Volleyball players in the world perform. With …
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