Volleyball

Ukraine Continues Gold Medal Streak at 2008 Volleyball World Championships
Defending 2005 Summer Deaflympics gold medalist Ukraine repeated its successful feat by winning both men's and women's competitions at the first deaf volleyball world championships last August.  The Ukrainian men and women defeated Russia and Japan in the finals, respectively.

Japan beat Germany for the men's bronze, and the United States women claimed a bronze medal victory over Russia.  During the women's preliminary phase, the United States took both Ukraine and Japan to a five-set battle before losing both matches.

Argentina’s deaf sports organization, CADES, had done an excellent job stepping forward and putting together a tournament in less than two years - a challenging and complex task.  The event included opening and closing ceremonies and awards presentation.  Statistics using FIVB's standards were compiled for the first time in ICSD's volleyball history.  Live scoring on the Internet was a success.  Hands waving to President Horacio Aleva, tournament director Daniel Laurence and their dedicated staff for their hard work!

Many teams that competed in Buenos Aires will meet again at the 2009 Summer Deaflympics in Taipei next September.  The competition is going to be interesting - will the results remain the same or not?

The official results and final report are still being compiled and verified and should be completed by the end of November 2008.

2009 Taipei Site Inspection Visit
I visited Taipei during the week of 6-10 October to inspect beach volleyball and volleyball venues, meet with ICSD Executive Committee and T2009 Organizing Committee and technical directors of other sports.  It was a productive visit.

I found both volleyball venues to be in excellent shape and ready.  However, the beach volleyball venue is a different matter.  The venue did not meet international standards for a good quality playing field that could accommodate 35 men's and 25 women's teams along with many spectators.  The organizing committee and I are working on an alternate site.  An ICSD representative will visit Taipei again in May/June 2009 for final inspections of all sites.

Taipei is a large metropolis with a lot to offer for athletes and spectators.  The organizing committee has done a marvelous job promoting the Summer Deaflympics and has been a gracious and wonderful host during my site inspection visit.

Drawing of Lots – Volleyball
The Drawing of Lots for volleyball and other team sports was held at Taipei Arena B1 on Friday, 10 October 2008.  Please visit www.2009deaflympics.org/en/press/event/20081010_a.htm.  A video of the drawing will be shown during the Technical Directors meeting in Taipei next September.  One slot in Pool B for both men and women is still available.  If your team is still interested, please send an email to the ICSD home office at tech@ciss.org as soon as possible and ask for registration paperwork.

Please watch for future eNews articles on major FIVB rule changes and 2009 Summer Deaflympics registration requirements.

John KNETZGER
ICSD Technical Director - Volleyball