Cuba
Japan
Korea
Peru
Russia
Serbia
Thailand
Chinese TaipeiPress release
Three-time Olympic champions fighting for London berth
Cuba finished second at the NORCECA Women's Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament won by Dominican Republic in Tijuana, Mexico in May
Tokyo, Japan, May 16, 2012 – The Cuban women’s volleyball departed for Japan on Wednesday as they get set to face seven other sides for one of the final berths for the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Women’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament.
The tournament is set to run at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium from May 19 to 27.
The world No.10 side face a huge challenge as they look to continue their run of attending every Olympic volleyball tournament since their debut in 1972, with the exception of the Los Angeles 1984 Games when they declined to participate.
In order to book a spot at the London Games Cuba needs to finish among the top three teams at the event, which also doubles as the Asian Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Joining them will be world champions Russia, World Grand Prix bronze medallists Serbia, Peru, Thailand, Korea, Chinese Taipei and hosts Japan.
The “Morenas del Caribe” claimed gold medals at the Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and added a bronze at the Athens 2004 edition. At the Beijing 2008 Games they finished fourth.
Only Russia has seen more success at the Olympics with four gold medals and three silver.
The Cuban Team recently lost a four-set match to Dominican Republic in the finals of the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier held in Tijuana, Mexico and have suffered in recent years following the loss of a number of key players.
Cuba’s top attackers Yoana Palacios and Wilma Salas, the top and third best spikers respectively at the NORCECA Qualifier, are both products of the junior ranks along with middle blockers Rosanna Giel and Gyselle Silva. The setters Yanelis Santos both and Yusidey Silie are the only remaining players from the team that competed in the Beijing Olympics. The libero is Emily Borrell.
Download highresolution
The tournament is set to run at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium from May 19 to 27.
The world No.10 side face a huge challenge as they look to continue their run of attending every Olympic volleyball tournament since their debut in 1972, with the exception of the Los Angeles 1984 Games when they declined to participate.
In order to book a spot at the London Games Cuba needs to finish among the top three teams at the event, which also doubles as the Asian Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Joining them will be world champions Russia, World Grand Prix bronze medallists Serbia, Peru, Thailand, Korea, Chinese Taipei and hosts Japan.
The “Morenas del Caribe” claimed gold medals at the Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and added a bronze at the Athens 2004 edition. At the Beijing 2008 Games they finished fourth.
Only Russia has seen more success at the Olympics with four gold medals and three silver.
The Cuban Team recently lost a four-set match to Dominican Republic in the finals of the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier held in Tijuana, Mexico and have suffered in recent years following the loss of a number of key players.
Cuba’s top attackers Yoana Palacios and Wilma Salas, the top and third best spikers respectively at the NORCECA Qualifier, are both products of the junior ranks along with middle blockers Rosanna Giel and Gyselle Silva. The setters Yanelis Santos both and Yusidey Silie are the only remaining players from the team that competed in the Beijing Olympics. The libero is Emily Borrell.
Download highresolution