Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, April 15, 2010 – The FIVB is pleased to confirm the Olympic qualification process for the Volleyball competition at the 2012 Olympic Games following the approval of the FIVB Board of Administration during its meeting in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic on Thursday.

The qualification process for the 24 teams (12 for men and 12 for women) will consist of the following:

1 host country (Great Britain)

3 from the 2011 World Cup (first, second and third)

1 from each Continental Qualification Tournament* (played between December 15, 2011-January 15, 2012)

3 from the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments

The World Olympic Qualification Tournaments consist of three tournaments for men and one for women to be held between May 15-31, 2012.

The opening qualifying event for the 2012 Olympic Games will be the 2011 World Cup in Japan which will run from November 4-18 for women and November 20-December 4 for men. A total of 12 teams per gender (hosts Japan, 2011 Continental champions, four 2011 Continental vice-champions placed highest on the FIVB World Rankings and two wildcards) will compete for the three vacancies on offer in each tournament.

* The Asian Continental Qualification Tournament could be played together with the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan.