Lausanne, Switzerland, November 30, 2016 - One of several new venues on the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour calendar, the Principality of Monaco in Europe will host a women’s only FIVB one-star event to be held June 17-18. It will be the first time that a FIVB international event of either gender has been held in Monaco.
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Latest VideosFacebookTwitterInstagramMedia GuidesThe 2017 FIVB World Tour schedule lists three other women’s only events besides Monaco, the first in Sydney, Australia (March 17-19), the second in Daegu, Korea (July 14-16) and the last in Ulsan, Korea (July 20-22).
The five-star structure instituted starting with the 2017 FIVB World Tour is one of the many steps taken by the FIVB to modernize and streamline its competitions in a golden period for beach volleyball on the heels of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said, “The aim of the new structure is to provide a platform and formation of events that increase the number of competitions in a growing number of hosting countries and create a sustainable business model while providing additional commercial flexibility and opportunities.”
The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state and microstate, located on the French Riviera in Western Europe. France borders the country on three sides while the other side borders the Mediterranean Sea.
Monaco has an area of 2.02 km2 (0.78 sq mi) and a population of about 37,800; it is the second smallest and most densely populated country in the world. Monaco has a land border of 4.4 km (2.7 mi), a coastline of 4.1 km (2.5 mi), and a width that varies between 1,700 and 349 m (1,859 and 382 yd). The highest point in the country is a narrow pathway named Chemin des Revoires on the slopes of Mont Agel, in the Les Revoires Ward, which is 161 metres (528 feet) above sea level.
Monaco is known as a playground for the rich and famous, due to its tax laws. In 2014, it was noted about 30 per cent of the population was made up of millionaires, similar to Zurich or Geneva.
Prince Albert II is the head of State. Although Prince Albert II is a constitutional monarch, he wields immense political power. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297. The official language is French, , but Monegasque, Italian and English are widely spoken and understood. Monaco became a full United Nations voting member in 1993. Despite Monaco's independence and separate foreign policy, its defense is the responsibility of France. However, Monaco does maintain two small military units.
Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with the opening of the country's first casino, Monte Carlo, and a railway connection to Paris. Since then, Monaco's mild climate, scenery, and gambling facilities have contributed to the principality's status as a tourist destination and recreation center for the rich.
The state has no income tax, low business taxes, and is well known for being a tax haven. It is also the host of the annual street circuit motorsports race the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the original Grand Prix of Formula One.
The highlight of the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour calendar will be the 2017 FIVB World Championships, a 48-team (per gender) event to be held July 28-August 6 in Vienna, Austria.
The 2017 FIVB World Ranking system will include FIVB Beach Volleyball Major Series, 5-star, 4-star, 3-star, 2-star and 1-star events along with additional pre-approved events at the inter-continental, continental and national levels.
Implemented in 2013, the format of all the FIVB Beach Volleyball international tournaments are the same, featuring pool play followed by single elimination knockout rounds.
Country quota playoffs are also held, as needed, to determine the final teams for qualification tournaments.
The first men’s FIVB World Tour event was played February 17-22, 1987 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil while the first women’s FIVB World Tour event in Brazil was played in 1993 in Rio de Janeiro. The women’s FIVB World Tour held its first tournament in Spain in 1992.