About

   Prior to Sydney 2000, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) introduced a new specialist role: the libero. This player wears a different coloured uniform from the rest of the team and can be substituted in backcourt for any player on the team. The libero cannot serve, spike the ball over the net or rotate into the front-line positions, but plays a vital role for the team in serve reception and backcourt defence. There must be at least one point played between a libero substituting off for a player and going back on the court for another player - hence he/she cannot be on the court for the whole game. The libero added an extra dimension to backcourt defence during the Sydney 2000 Games, improving the reception of teams, lengthening the rallies and giving a vital role to shorter players.

   Competition

   Matches are played best of five sets. The first four sets are played to 25 points, with the final set being played to 15 points. A team must win a set by two points. There is no

   ceiling, so a set continues until one of the teams gains a two-point advantage. Previously, all sets were to 15 points, with the first four sets having a ceiling of 17 and the final set

   requiring at least a two-point winning advantage.

   Sydney 2000

   There was a men's and women's volleyball event and a men's and women's beach volleyball event.

   In volleyball, 12 men's teams of 12 players and 12 women's teams of 11 players competed. In beach volleyball, 24 men's and 24 women's pairs competed.

   Athens 2004

   Volleyball at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games will feature the same competitions as Sydney 2000 (men's and women's volleyball and beach volleyball), with the same number of teams participating (12 men's and 12 women's volleyball teams with 24 men's and 24 women's teams for beach volleyball).

   The only significant difference in formats will be that volleyball will be played in one venue with 3 sessions per day. It is currently proposed that beach volleyball will be played over 12 days (instead on 11) including one rest day, with two sessions per day. It is also proposed to run evening sessions under lights.

   List of events

   -- volleyball Men

   -- volleyball Women

Credit: IOC

For further info., please visit http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/disciplines_uk.asp?DiscCode=VO.