On February 14th, 2018, The CEV & FIVB combined their efforts to put on a day of exhibition matches and clinics showcasing the sport of snow volleyball. This event took place at the 2018 Winter Olympics, and was for many, their first introduction to the sport. Participants included three-time Olympic beach volleyball medalist Emanuel (BRA), three-time Olympic medalist and three-time world champion Giba (BRA), two-time Olympic volleyball medalist Vladimir Grbic (SRB), Olympic medalist in beach volleyball, Xue Chen (CHN) as well as two Austrian beach volleyball players and former European Champions, Nikolas Berger and Stefanie Schwaiger.
The day consisted of introductory clinics that ran in the morning and introduced new fans to the basics of the sport, followed by an exhibition match in the afternoon between the volleyball legends who attended the event. This was followed by a press conference by CEV president Aleksandar Boricic and Austrian NOC President Karl Stoss.
The event was a great success, attracting media attention from organisations such as TIME, Reuters, & Huffington Post, and was a great introduction to the general public of Snow Volleyball as a sport. The event was succeeded by a successful European Snow Volleyball tour and championship held in Wagrain (AUT).
Volleyball legend Giba tries his hand at snow volleyball
Spectators at the 2018 Olympic Games could try their hand at snow volleyball