Volleyball to be hot ticket for 2016 Rio Olympics

22 September 2014 - 11:52 By Sapa
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Volleyball is tipped to get a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics Games. File photo
Volleyball is tipped to get a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics Games. File photo

Brazil's loss to Poland in the final of the men's volleyball world championship on Sunday was a blow to the South Americans, but should boost the sport in two years at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Poland upset three-time defending champion Brazil 3-1 in Katowice to end an astounding three-week tournament in Poland that drew more than 500,000 fans - including 62,000 for the tournament's opening match in Warsaw's national stadium.

Poland won its only other men's volleyball title in 1974, and then took Olympic gold in 1976.

Ary Graca, a Brazilian who heads volleyball's world governing body the FIVB, tells The Associated Press that "I have no doubt volleyball is going to be a big success at the Olympics." He suggested it will be among the hottest tickets in Rio.

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