2013 FIVB World Tour returning to Russia for Moscow Grand Slam

The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour returns to Russia from August 21-25 for the double-gender Moscow Grand Slam. This event marks the 12th time for a men’s competition in Russia and 10th women’s tournament in this country. The 2013 event will be the eighth World Tour event held in Moscow (fifth straight year) as the initial events were men’s-only Opens in 1998 and 1999.

Brazil has been extremely successful in both the men and women’s events in Russia, earning a combined 24 total medals (12 in each gender), including six men’s and four women’s gold medals.

In men’s tournaments, 10 countries have earned at least one medal while just four nations have captured at least one women’s medal.

Behind Brazil in combined total medals is USA with 13 total (five men and eight women), China with eight (two men, six women) and Germany with six total (five men and one women).

Both of the 2012 gold medal teams are expected back in Moscow this year. Last year’s Brazil’s Alison Cerutti/Emanuel Rego won the men’s gold while China’s Chen Xue/Xi Zhang captured the women’s title.