LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board and International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Executive Committee held a joint meeting at IOC's new headquarters on Wednesday, talking about FIVB's innovation, the importance of gender equality as well as anti-doping and preparations for future Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: "We are very pleased to have one of our most successful Olympic International Federations here with us. You understand what it means to be a global sport and all the challenges you may face. In the middle of these challenges, you have anticipated many of these developments already."
Bach emphasized: "If we want to keep our relevance, we have to innovate, we have to change, otherwise we will fall behind and potentially disappear."
FIVB President Ary S. Graca also outlined how the FIVB was working hard to promote women's sport globally.
"Family values and gender equality are very important for us," said Graca. "It is our aim to be the world's number one family sport, and the FIVB has always used its platform to promote and empower women and girls.
"On the field of play, our women's teams receive the same prize money and coverage as the men's teams, and both men's and women's sport also deliver the same financial results. I believe this stands us apart from many other sports."
Graca also explained that, off the court, the FIVB headquarters employ an equal number of male and female staff, with 45 percent of FIVB directors being women.
During the meeting, Cuba's triple Olympic champion and FIVB Executive Vice-President, Luis Hernandez Alejandrina Mireya, officially received her OLY status from Bach. Mireya won gold as an outside hitter for Cuba's national team at the Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and at Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
