Olympic anniversary celebrated with Legends match

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 18, 2016 – The FIVB celebrated the 20 year anniversary since beach volleyball was first introduced to the Olympic Games at Atlanta in 1996 with two Legends matches between the bronze and gold medal matches of the men’s and women’s beach volleyball competition at the Copacabana Beach arena.

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Beach volleyball has set the standard for fan engagement at Rio 2016 through its new innovations and narrative of the game and now, in cooperation with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee and the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV), the FIVB has entertained the beach volleyball arena with a “Legend’s Classics” game. 

The “Legend’s Classics” began just after 11:00 (local time) on Wednesday and Thursday and was staged “to recognize the legends and the iconic players that have helped the sport to grow with their contribution to the Olympic Movement,” said Dr. Ary S. Graça F°, the FIVB President.

 

“We will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of Beach Volleyball after its first debut at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and commemorate Copacabana as the spiritual home of beach volleyball as part of the Olympic Movement,” President Graça added. 

Set at the 12,000-seat “Coliseu on Copacabana”, the “Legend’s Classi” was added entertainment for the spectators between the end of bronze medal matches and gold medal matches. Featuring six-person and mixed gender games, some of the sport’s most iconic players from volleyball and beach volleyball took to the sand.

 

Two of the central figures were be Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos.  The legendary American pair won the first-ever FIVB-sanctioned beach volleyball event at Rio de Janeiro in February 1987.  Smith also participated in the inaugural Olympic beach volleyball event in 1996 with Carl Henkel.

Sandra Pires, the three-time Brazilian beach volleyball Olympian and the winner of the first ever gold medal in the sport at Atlanta 1996 with Jackie Silva, also returned to the court, along with Guilherme Marquez, who teamed with Rodrigo “Parra” Ferreira to win the 1997 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Los Angeles. 

Guilherme was the most familiar with the Arena having acted as the Venue Manager on Copacabana Beach.

Key Points

WHAT

Two teams of 6-person each (mixed men and women) will compete in a relaxed atmosphere. The rules will be like in volleyball i.e. three touches after the block but no time out due to time constraints

One set to 21 points but not exceeding 23:30

Free rotation allowed

Free substitution will be allowed during the match

Challenge is operating and each team may have two challenges maximum per team 

243cm for the height of the net

WHO

WORLD LEGENDS (BLUE)

Ana Paula                          

Sinjin Smith                      

Randy Stoklos                  

Jan Kvalheim                    

Bjorn Maaseide                 

Natalie Cook                     

Kerri Pottharst                   

Others could still be added

BRASIL LEGENDS (GREEN)

Jackie Silva                    

Fernando Marques            

Loiola Jose’                       

Bada’                                 

Tullio                                  

Shelda                           

Adriana Behar                   

Adriana Samuel                 

Giovane Gavino                 

Guilherme Marques           

Edoardo Bacil                    

Sandra Pires                      

Monica Rodriguez              

Ricardo

Anjinho                               

Others could still be added

Beach Volleyball Legends Profile

 

Sinjin Smith, United States

A Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee, Christopher St. John “Sinjin” Smith has been involved in both aspects – volleyball and beach volleyball.  He started his career by leading UCLA to two NCAA Volleyball Championships in 1978 and 1979.  He was a member US men’s team in 1979 and competed for three years until 1982. However, the beach was where he made his name as he won his first tournament in 1977 and ended his career in 2001. In between, he won 139 tournaments highlighted by 129 domestically and 10 internationally. He and Randy Stoklos won the first-ever FIVB-sanctioned event in February 1987 in Rio. Smith was the first player to reach 100 career open victories. He was named AVP Best Defensive Player three times (1990-1992). He also participated in the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games where he and Carl Henkel placed fifth.

Randy Stoklos, United States

A 2008 inductee into the Volleyball Hall of Fame, Stoklos won 122 events during his career as he and his 15-season partnership with Sinjin Smith helped elevate beach volleyball from a Southern …

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