Hamburg, Germany, March 18, 2019 – FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° today addressed German media at the kick-off press conference in Hamburg, the host city of the 2019 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships which is set to begin on June 28.
Comdirect Bank AG and Aldi were announced as the two presenting sponsors for the 10-days Championships, as Germany continues to lead the way in raising the professional standard of beach volleyball in the country.
President Dr. Ary Graça was joined by the Senator for Internal Affairs and Sports of the City of Hamburg Andy Grote, as well as President of the German Volleyball Federation René Hecht and CEO of the Beach Majors Company Hannes Jagerhofer. German national team players Laura Ludwig, Margaret Kozuch, Julius Thole and Clemens Wickler were also in attendance.
Panel at the Press Conference today in Hamburg, including the German National Teams of Julius Thole / Clemens Wickler and Margareta Kozuch / Laura Ludwig.Speaking at the press conference, President Dr. Ary Graça said:
"I am really looking forward to the 2019 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships here in Hamburg and I expect am sure this event is going to be a huge success. Both Hamburg and Germany have all the attributes to host an amazing Championships: impressive hosting credentials, an iconic venue, passionate fans and most importantly, a great beach volleyball tradition and incredible athletes. Reigning Olympic and World Champions Laura Ludwig and the recently retired Kira Walkenhorst are prime examples alongside the 2012 Olympic Champions. Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann."
"It is the second time Germany will host the Championships, following Berlin’s staging of the 2005 edition. I am sure this year’s FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships 2019 presented by comdirect & ALDI Nord will draw lots of attention, particularly as the winners of both the men’s and women’s events will secure a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for their country."
Ninety-six women's and men's teams (48 per gender) from all continents will compete in Hamburg at the famous 13,200-capacity Am Rothenbaum Stadium for the prestigious title and an overall prize money of $1 million.
Senator for Internal Affairs and Sports of the City of Hamburg, Mr. Andy Grote said:
"The Beach Volleyball World Championships will be this summer's sporting highlight. Beach volleyball has become an outstanding calling card for the city of Hamburg and in just over 100 days, the international beach volleyball elite will wow Hamburg and the world. With Hamburg's very own top teams, including Ludwig/Kozuch, Bieneck/Schneider and Thole/Wickler, serving in front of their home crowd, the atmosphere inside the Rothenbaum promises to be unlike nothing we have experienced before."
The FIVB continues to maximise fan experience by pushing the boundaries of technology, innovation and digital content distribution, and involving spectators as part of each match through active, fan-engagement. The last edition of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, which took place in Vienna in 2017, welcomed over 170,000 spectators throughout 10 days of world class action. Hamburg is on track to beat this record later this year.
Mr. René Hecht, President of the German Volleyball Federation, said:
"Sports events of this magnitude are exactly what we need in Germany to make volleyball in general more popular. The media attention at the World Championships alone will exceed everything that we have seen before in German volleyball. But that is exactly what this tournament will enable us to promote the sport and make a difference."
"We would also like to thank everyone involved for allowing us to experience a World Championships in Hamburg this year. We have already seen, at the World Tour Finals, that the beach is alive and well in Hamburg and I can’t wait for the first serve to take place. The World Championships will inspire all of Germany."
Mr. Hannes Jagerhofer, CEO of Beach Majors Company and official promotor of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Hamburg 2019, said:
"The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships 2019 presented by comdirect & ALDI Nord will be a new milestone in the history of beach volleyball, a sport which is now firmly in the minds of every sports fan around the world. At the Rothenbaum, in the heart of the hanseatic city of Hamburg, beach volleyball has found a wonderful home. For me and my team from the Beach Majors, it's a great challenge to host the world's largest tournament in this amazing stadium. I am convinced that we can create an incredible atmosphere that goes beyond what we have seen in the past! From June 28 to July 7, Hamburg will become the epicenter of beach volleyball, and will cast a spell over Germany and the entire beach world."
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