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Няма да участваме в нито един от последните квалификационни турнири за олимпиадата - нито за мъже нито за жени. Това е официалното съобщение на международната федерация:
FIVB World Olympic Qualification Tournaments - 24 teams confirmed to contest eight Olympic vacancies
Lausanne, Switzerland, January 11, 2004 - Following the conclusion of the eight Continental Olympic Qualifying tournaments on the weekend where USA (NORCECA Men), the Dominican Republic (South America Women), Argentina (South American Men), Russia (Europe Men), Germany (Europe Women), Tunisia (Africa Men), Kenya (Africa Women) and Cuba (NORCECA Women) have all qualified for the Athens Olympics in August, the 24 teams left to chase eight Olympic tickets across four World Olympic Qualifying tournaments in Japan, Portugal and Spain have now been determined.
Eight teams will play in the women's World Olympic Qualification tournament in Japan (May 8-16, 2004), which also doubles as the Asian Continental Olympic Qualification tournament, with the hosts being joined by three Asian teams Korea, Thailand and Chinese Taipei and four non-Asian sides being the highest ranked non-qualified teams as per the FIVB World Rankings - Italy and Russia from Europe and Argentina from South America and NORCECA's Puerto Rico.
Four teams will qualify for Athens 2004 from this tournament with the winner being joined by the best Asian team (as the Continental winner) and the best and second best ranked teams after the winner.
The three men's World Olympic Qualification tournaments will consist of eight teams playing in Japan (May 22-30), in what will also be the Asian Continental Olympic Qualification tournament, with the hosts entertaining four Asian teams - Korea, China, Iran, Australia - plus three additional non-Asian teams.
Four more teams will play in Spain (May 28-30) and another four in Portugal (May 21-23) with the organizers being joined by three teams each.
The nine sides to compete in Japan, Spain or Portugal - France, Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, Cuba, Venezuela, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei - have qualified as the highest ranked non-qualified teams as per the FIVB World Rankings, but their destination will be determined by a Drawing of Lots ceremony held in Japan in late February.
Four Olympic tickets are available across the three men's tournaments with the three winners plus the best Asian side at the Japanese tournament all booking their spots for Athens in August.
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Край на надеждите за олимпиада
