Lausanne, Switzerland, 10 October, 2001 - The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Council, meeting in Lausanne, today released the provisional calendar of events for the 2002 season.

Seven (7) men's events (Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Portugal, Sweden, Spain and Brazil) and six (6) women's events (Switzerland, Norway, Greece, Japan, Spain and Brazil) have already been confirmed for 2002.

Negotiations are also in progress with France and Austria (for Grand Slam events), Germany, Italy, Australia, China with also the possibility of another World Tour event in Spain.

Expectations are that the final calendar will consist of ten men's and ten women's events, each offering US$100,000 in prize money (with Grand Slam events offering US$150,000 prize money), plus a Bonus Pool to be confirmed by the FIVB once the calendar is finalised. The 2001 Bonus Pool was US$1.8 million. The 2002 calendar will be finalised in late November 2001.

MEN'S 2002 CALENDAR

19-23 June Switzerland Open Gstaad USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
10-14 July Canada Open Montreal USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
03-07 July Norway Open Stavanger USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
24-28 July Portugal Open Espinho USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
14-18 August Sweden Open Stockholm USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
04-08 September Spain Open Mallorca USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
29 Oct-3 Nov Brazil Open Fortaleza USD 100,000 CONFIRMED

In negotiations:
Spain (Tenerife)Germany (Berlin)France (Marseille) Austria (Klagenfurt), Australia, Italy (Jesolo)

WOMEN'S 2002 CALENDAR

18-22 June Switzerland Open Gstaad USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
02-06 July Norway Open Stavanger USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
10-14 July Greece Open Xylokastro USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
07-11 August Japan Open Osaka USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
03-07 September Spain Open Mallorca USD 100,000 CONFIRMED
26 Nov - 1 Dec Brazil Open Vitoria USD 100,000 CONFIRMED

In negotiations:Italy (Cagliari), France (Marseille, Germany (Berlin), Austria (Klagenfurt), Australia, China (Maoming), Spain (Gran Canaria)