Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary Graça today officially launched the FIVB’s very first Athletes’ Commission at the FIVB Volleyball House in Copacabana as the federation formalises long-term and loyal relations with its global network of athletes and re-affirms its commitment to ensuring athletes are the focus of its administration.
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A red carpet was rolled out for the ceremony and guests included World Olympians Association President Joël Bouzou and IOC Athletes’ Commission members Pedro Yang. They were joined by four members of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission - Gilberto “Giba” Amauri de Godoy Filho of Brazil, Vladimir Grbić of Serbia, Julius Brink of Germany and Xue Chen of China.
The FIVB Athletes’ Commission is made up of 10 athletes from nine different countries representing both volleyball and beach volleyball and it will strengthen the link between athletes and the FIVB to ensure their interests continue to be represented in all FIVB decisions.
Former Olympic volleyball champion and three-time World Championship winner Gilberto “Giba” Amauri de Godoy Filho from Brazil will lead the Commission as its President and former Serbian Olympic volleyball champion Vladimir Grbić will be the Commission’s Secretary. They will be joined by a host of other former champions, including London 2012 beach volleyball gold medallist Julius Brink from Germany, three-time Olympic beach volleyball champion Kerri Walsh Jennings from the United States and 2013 beach volleyball World Champion Xue Chen from China.
The FIVB is already 100 per cent committed to the IOC Athletes’ Career Programme and the creation of the Athletes’ Commission is seen as an important step in its ongoing support to athletes in line with Recommendation 18 of Olympic Agenda 2020.
FIVB President Dr. Ary Graça said: “I would first like to express my deepest gratitude to the FIVB Athletes’ Commission members for helping to create this seminal moment in our federation’s history. Today we mark an important milestone for the global volleyball family and it is a privilege for me to formally introduce this outstanding group of athletes who make up our Commission.
“Athletes are the stars of our sport and we always ensure their experience is at the heart of every FIVB event. We are 100 per cent committed to creating a platform for their voices to be heard and encourage them to take an active role in the decision making process. As we look to become the number one family sport entertainment in the world, athletes are the best ambassadors to convey our core values of universality, good governance and innovation around the world.”
FIVB Athletes’ Commission
Mr. Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho (Giba) VB (BRA) – President of the Commission