Origin

In 1892, at a YMCA in the US state of Massachusetts, Dr Naismith hung up the peach baskets that gave birth to the game of basketball. William Morgan, his friend, studied the game and deemed it perhaps too strenuous for a middle-aged businessman. Thus, three years later, Morgan invented his own game. Another century later, his invention, volleyball, has emerged along with basketball as one of the fastest, most powerful sports of the Olympic Games.

Morgan called his game "Mintonette". However, a local professor quickly noted the ball being volleyed over the net, and the sport almost immediately changed names.

From the outset, volleyball has been a game unafraid of change from any direction. And it quickly went in many directions. Thanks to the long tentacles of the international YMCA network, Japan was playing the game by 1896, followed closely by other Asian countries. A specially designed ball came into play in 1900, and, over the next 20 years, the game developed to closely resemble the game of volleyball as we know it today.

The set and spike originated in the Philippines in 1920. Six-a-side play became standard in 1918. In 1920, the rules mandating three hits per side and back-row attacks were instituted.

(BOCOG)

Preview for Team China

The women's volleyball team carries a burden of high expectations. Four years ago, the team won its second Olympic gold by defeating Russia in five sets in Athens. When it comes to Beijing, the fans will expect nothing but success.

However, the team suffered a big blow when it had just one win at the Grand Prix Finals in June. In Beijing, it will face an uphill task en route to the title. It needs to secure a good position in the group, which includes Cuba and the US, so that it can avoid top teams such as Italy and Brazil in the quarterfinals. Once it enters the semis, it could be unstoppable.

Compared with its elite-class women's side, the Chinese men's team should be satisfied if it qualifies from the group stages and enters the quarterfinals, as it has accomplished little previously.

(China Daily August 5, 2008)