Situated in front of the Volleyball House, the courts have been welcoming families throughout the Games, bringing together nationalities and introducing the sport to a new generation of players.
“It was a nice surprise to be leaving the arena today to relax a little and to encounter this wonderful project,” added Cenira. “Right away, my daughter who is very shy said ‘let’s go play mom!’ I rolled up my shorts and started to play.
“It’s so cool, we interacted with so many people including people from other countries. There are these boys playing from Mozambique with us.
“With all the happiness, it is Rio de Janeiro. This is the Olympics.”
Leaving a legacy is one of the key aims for the FIVB in Rio, and part of that is welcoming newcomers to volleyball and allowing them to learn that it is a great way to make new friends, improve relationships and cultivate the Olympic spirit.
“It is a very productive idea for the kids to have this interaction with beach volleyball,” said Paulo, who brought his daughter down to the Copa Courts before heading to the beach volleyball venue a few hundred metres up the road. “[Daughter] Carol loves the beach. However, this is her first contact with beach volleyball. Soon we’ll be going to the beach volleyball arena for her to learn a little about the Olympic spirit”
The Copa Courts are open from 09:30 to 18:00 every day until August 21 so come down and show how you Volleyball Your Way!