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The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has approved the Maracanazinho Gymnasium as a venue should Rio de Janeiro host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. It would be the site of the men's and women's Olympic Volleyball championships.

The FIVB also approved the design of the Beach Volleyball venue in Copacabana.

FIVB second executive vice president Cristobal Marte Hoffiz said, "Maracanazinho is a beautiful gymnasium offering an excellent structure and we have now approved it for the Olympic Games. Just the two warm-up courts will have to be adapted to FIVB official measurements.

"As to Beach Volleyball, besides their location in one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the venues proposed for Copacabana Beach are fully compliant with FIVB requirements.

All Candidate City venues must be approved by their sport's international federations.

Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman said, "this approval means that Rio de Janeiro already has Olympic standard venues. Maracanazinho was fully remodelled for the Pan American Games Rio 2007 and now offers top comfort to athletes, officials and spectators alike. World League Final Round was a success, and to Beach Volleyball we are offering the most emblematic site in the world which is Copacabana Beach".

Meanwhile Rio 2016 launched a Brazilian promotional space in Rio de Janeiro Tuesday that will promote Rio's bid at the Olympic Games. Casa Brasil will be set up at the Jianguo Garden Hotel on Beijing's main avenue and will be decorated to highlight Brazil's tourist attractions. Visitors will have a multimedia area available with information about the country.

Minister Orlando Silva said at the launch, "besides Brazil's natural beauty at Casa Brasil, we will be presenting to the public our leading products, our stability, technology and competence".

Brazil's Minister of Tourism Luiz Barretto said, "Rio's candidature gives us another chance to promote Brazilian tourism. At Casa Brasil we will also have the opportunity of presenting a positive image of our country".

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