FIVB History

The FIVB History

The Founding
The first serious activity aimed at the founding of FIVB was an informal meeting held at the Graf Coffee House (now called Krivan) in Prague between representatives of the Polish, French, and Czech Volleyball Federations, followed by a more formal meeting in the council chambers of the Smichov brewery. The Czechoslovak delegation was headed by Mr Havel, President of the Federation, and composed of Messrs. Cebalka, Stolc, Pulkrat, Koutsky, and Vladimir Spirit. The French delegation was led by Paul Libaud, the newly elected President of the Federation, and included Messrs. Aujard and Babin. The Polish delegation included Mr. Wirszyllo, President of the Polish Federation, and his colleague Mr. Szeremeta

This meeting started by the reading of written declarations of support which had been sent by the Federations of Italy, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Belgium. It then proceeded to establish the so-called "autonomous volleyball commission" composed of the following members: Ronald Wirszyllo (POL), president; Paul Libaud (FRA), vice-president; and Josef Cebalka (TCH), general secretary, together with a representative each from the Soviet Union, the USA, and Rumania. The assistant to the general secretary was Mr. Castellant (FRA). The main aim of this commission was to lay the foundations of an international volleyball federation, together with other tasks detailed in the minutes of this historical meeting: to give as much publicity as possible to volleyball in all countries; to create a unified set of rules of the game using as basis the American rules; the organization of some championships (European and World Championships) in Prague; the inclusion of volleyball into the programme of the Olympic Games; and the convening of a Constitutive Congress in Paris, to be held in 1947.

The organization of this first Constitutive Congress was entrusted to the President of the French Volleyball Federation, Paul Libaud. It took place in Paris from April 18 to 20, 1947, in the splendid rooms of the Grand Hotel with the participation of 14 Federations some of which had been delegated to act for other Federations as well.

The FIVB was born! It is certain that a decisive moment in the fascinating history of Volleyball's first hundred years was the founding of the FIVB (Féderation Internationale de Volleyball) when one day in April 1947 representatives of Belgium, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Uruguay, USA and Yugoslavia met in Paris to found the FIVB. Frenchman, Paul Libaud, president of the French Federation was elected first President of the FIVB. The headquarters were established in Paris, where they remained for the first 37 years until 1984.

The Beginning of World Championships
Aside from the formalities, the bases were laid for the future. The first World Championships were organised (1949 for men and 1952 for women) and have since remained the biggest event in Volleyball. The World competitions generated immediately enthusiasm, and the number of players and national federations affiliated with the FIVB grew by leaps and bound. The Volleyball fever had caught on just about everywhere and increased rapidly. FIVB promoted events began to multiply.

Olympic Games
Testifying to the prestige attained, in 1957 the IOC included Volleyball as a medals sport the Olympic Games. The game was played with 10 men's and 6 women's teams in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, where Japan's women's team and the USSR men's team won the gold medals and consequently the Volleyball phenomenon started in Japan soon after the Games. The Beach Volleyball made its Olympic debuts in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Members rising

By 1955 the 14 founding federations had grown to 45. 1964 saw the explosion of 89 affiliates. In 1968, the national federations affiliated with the FIVB totalled 101, evenly distributed over the five continents: 25 in Europe, 25 in Asia, 25 in Africa, 11 in South America, and 15 in Norceca.

107 members were recorded in 1970,126 in 1978, 160 in 1986, and within 10 years the number rose to an impressive 210 affiliates.107 members were recorded in 1970,126 in 1978, 160 in 1986, and within 10 years the number rose to an impressive 210 affiliates.

Now (2001) the Federation counts 218 affiliated federations.

Dr. Acosta to succeed President Paul Libaud
The big turning point for the FIVB came in 1984 when President Paul Libaud by then in his late seventies and highly acclaimed for having founded the Federation and making it a significant reality on the world sports stage, resigned after 37 years of leadership. Dr. Rubén Acosta Hernandez was elected new President to succeed Paul Libaud at the World Congress in Long Beach, California, USA.

The Move from Paris to Lausanne
The FIVB moved its headquarters to Lausanne, Switzerland the same year bringing it closer to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Permanent and modern structures were developed permitting constant and direct contact with the whole world of Volleyball at the new offices situated in the centre of this Olympic City. Very soon, Dr. Acosta became Volleyball's ambassador, promoting the sport in worldwide competitions held in the five continents (Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and Norceca). The rapid development of the sport necessitated a larger FIVB staff to run the Federation's administration to govern its affiliated members and to promote the sport from a free time game to great entertainment sport.

At the same time, the game made a spectacular move to change the face of Volleyball and the need to make it more telegenic in order to attract fans and sponsors led to major modifications and introduction of new rules.

The Beach Volleyball successful venture
Beach Volleyball was accepted as an official discipline at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996. This was the result of a carefully drafted Marketing diversification plan started with events organisation and publications of brochures, videos and other efforts made by the President and the FIVB aiming at convincing sceptical IOC members (at the beginning) that this very spectacular sport deserves an Olympic medal status. The IOC conceded in Monte Carlo in 1994 and Beach Volleyball first Olympic medals were disputed in Atlanta after enormously successful men & women competitions held in Clayton County in front of youthful and enthusiastic crowds.

World Plan 2001
An overall plan was prepared after Barcelona '92 and approved in Athens in 1994. Its goal is to counter administrative and managerial shortcomings in most of the Volleyball National Federations and turn Volleyball and Beach Volleyball into major sports at world, continental and national level in each one of the 218 affiliated National Federations by the year of 2001. For the majority, World Plan 2001's goals were achieved on a global level during the period 1995-2001 particularly the following:

- To make Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Major sport at world, continental and national level.
- To bring the two sports to become Top sport for spectators.
- To make the most important national, continental and world Beach Volleyball and Volleyball competitions into Media events.
- To increase the number of countries able to play at the Top level presenting more competitive, spectacular and attractive Volleyball and Beach Volleyball competitions.
140 national federations grouped into 5 categories participate in this World Plan 2001.

Volleyball Vision 2008
After the World Plan 2004 is completed and its positive results or short comings are determined, a new vision for Volleyball will be discussed for the next ensuing years up to 2008.

The main goal to be pursued in this vision is:

to make each National Federation and Confederation the most professional organisations in short term, each one at its own level, with modern, flexible and efficient administration under professional management.