School children welcome President Graça to site of Olympic Volleyball House

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 29, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° met children at the Escola Municipal Cicero Penna, which will serve as the headquarters of volleyball and beach volleyball during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The school, which is on Avenida Atlantica, just a few minutes from the Olympic beach volleyball venue on Copacabana Beach, will be renamed Volleyball House during the Summer Games, after which it will be fully refurbished.

Amir Pereira, one of the children who welcomed Dr. Graça to the school, exclaimed: "I have never seen a president before!" He also thanked President Graça for the improvements which will be made to the school after this summer's Olympic events.

President Graça talked with the school children, who are proud their school will welcome volleyball and beach volleyball during the Olympics, both very popular sports in Brazil. The children also look forward to returning to an improved school next year. The building will be renovated as part of the legacy of the Olympic Games, providing students with new classrooms, bathrooms, a new kitchen, new furniture and wifi.


President Graça and school director Ana Maria Prazeres da Guia talk with Amir Pereira, a student at the Escola Municipal Cicero Penna

The children will also be a part of activities at the Volleyball House this summer. "These boys and girls will participate actively in the project. Their work and paintings will be displayed on panels and they will be able to participate in the biggest moment of world sport. At the end of the Games, they will have a new school and an experience they will never forget," said Dr. Graça.