Olsztyn, Poland, March 31, 2016 - Polish Volleyball Federation President Paweł Papke was joined by the Olsztyn Mayor and local representatives as Warmia Mazury prepares to host the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Olsztyn Grand Slam from June 14-19. The Beach Volleyball World Tour returns to Olsztyn after last year's successful Grand Slam event, just over a month before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Paweł Papke said: "I am very happy about such great media interest. I would like to thank the authorities who engaged so deeply in organising this event and in promoting the Warmian-Masurian region. We all know that the Grand Slam is a wonderful promotion of our region, but also of beach volleyball and of the Polish Volleyball Federation."
Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship Marshall Gustaw Marek Brzezin said: "I would like to thank the Polish Volleyball Federation that the event will be held in Olsztyn. The events held in Stare Jabłonki for 11 years had their own unique atmosphere, but here we have a new opening with new infrastructure and there are many changes visible in Olsztyn which should be shown. That’s why having the tournament here was a good choice. I was at most of the event last year and I think it looked wonderful. Everybody’s opinions were favourable. The event was a success during its first edition, and it is bound to keep getting better and better as the region is keen to support this great event."
2015 Olsztyn Grand Slam women's medallists Larissa Franca and Talita Antunes (gold), Madelein Meppelink and Marleen Van Iersel (silver) and Kinga Kolosinska and Monika Brzostek (bronze).Olsztyn Mayor Piotr Grzymowicz said: "We all here are connected with Warmia and Mazury and once again have a possibility of organising a splendid world-class beach volleyball tournament. This is a great promotion for our city, region and country and we can be proud of that. Fans, citizens and entrepreneurs can also be happy. A lot of people who came here last year visited the city. This year will not be different, for sure. The level of the competition is guaranteed as the tournament takes place before the Olympic Games. The best players will come and we will see a great event, which makes us happy because there are few such events in the world and in Olsztyn. We also have the potential with our rebuilt infrastructure. We are prepared to take on this challenge with wonderful partners like the Polish Volleyball Federation, the Marshall’s Office and other partners who support us."
Polish Volleyball Federation Vice-President for Sport and Coaching Jacek Kasprzyk said: "It’s a beautiful place and a wonderful time this year as it’s June and everybody will come before the summer holidays to watch Olympic duos. I hope the whole elite will be here and that the teams playing in Rio will come."
Warmian-Mazurian Volleyball Federation President Jerzy Mróz said: "When the idea of having the Grand Slam in Olsztyn was raised at the Polish Volleyball Federation Board meeting, everybody raised their hands in support. What can be more beautiful than a situation where everybody supports the city you are from? And here’s the place to thank the Olsztyn authorities who have prepared such a high-level event. I am really proud."
Tournament Director Rafał Pośpiech said: "It’s the best place for beach volleyball in our country. I am sure that all the best duos will come to Olsztyn. The tribune will have about 4200 places, so 200 more than last year. Next to courts number 2 and 3, there will also be a tribune with 700 places. The forest setting will play an important role, helping to make the event unique. About 1000 places in the tribune will be ticketed, like last year. The rest of the seats will be free. Tickets will go on sale in two weeks."
Olsztyn Grand Slam 2016Olsztyn Grand Slam 2015