Beijing, China, August 18, 2008 – Volleyball and Beach Volleyball are two of the hottest tickets in town judging by the number of VIPs and celebrities and flocking to watch the world’s best players in action at the Olympic Games.

FIVB President Rubén Acosta was joined by People’s Republic of China President Hu Jingtao for the women’s Volleyball match between China and USA on Friday, while U.S. President George W. Bush dropped by Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground at the start of the tournament and played a quick rally with reigning Olympic women’s champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh.

Other politicians who have been enjoying the action include Serbia President Boris Tadic, Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and China Vice President Xi Jinping.

King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden and his wife, the Brazilian-born Queen Silvia, watched the women’s match between Brazil and Italy on Sunday, while King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway have been seen taking in the Beach Volleyball.

Meanwhile, Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, one of the world's richest men, attended the first session of Saturday’s men’s Volleyball at Capital Indoor Stadium.

Major sporting figures have also been conspicuous by their presence. Formula One motor racing President Bernie Ecclestone and his wife Slavica watched the men’s Serbia-Germany match on Saturday and the keen Volleyball fans were back to watch the action on Monday, while NBA superstars Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd have taken time out from their own Olympic aspirations to check out the Beach Volleyball.

As the action hots up in the Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Olympic Tournaments, there are sure to be more familiar faces popping up in the large crowds attending the matches.