After an inaugural World Championship title in 2002, Italian women's Volleyball coach Marco Bonitta is eager to taste more success at the Olympics as part of his four-year plan. In 2003, the 40-year-old Bonitta turned down a mountain of overseas offers to sign a four-year extension to his two-year Italian coaching contract and after leading the Italian women's team to their best international performance at the World Championships he is looking to make further space in the trophy cabinet.

“After winning the World Championship I want an Olympic medal,” he said. “If we arrive at Athens in the same condition as we did at the World Championship we will definitely be on track.”
 
It has been tough for Bonitta and his charges carrying the title of world champions, but having qualified for the Olympics by collecting the final ticket on offer at the World Olympic Qualification tournament in May, phase one of the ultimate goal is in place. Some unconvincing results in 2003-2004 haven’t installed a lot of believe amongst Italian fans of the chances of Bonitta’s team but if anyone can rise to the challenge it is him.