Wei Jizhong elected to International Volleyball Federation's top spot

(BEIJING, June 18) -- Wei Jizhong of China, first vice-president of the International Volleyball Federation, was unanimously elected president of the federation after current president Dr. Ruben Acosta official announced his retirement on June 17 at the 31st FIVB World Congress in Dubai.

Acosta will remain president through the Beijing Olympics and Wei will officially begin his four year term as president on August 24.

"I am leaving the presidency during this congress so that a new era can unfold for the FIVB," declared Acosta, who is from Mexico. "We have had happy, joyful moments, times full of laughter and sometimes, unfortunately also troubles and tears. But never, absolutely never, have our hopes been dashed. Our work was demanding and hard, but it was worthwhile."

Delegates of the 200 National Federations gave Acosta, who has held the top spot since the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, a loud, sustained ovation on the last day of the FIVB congress.

"We are leaving, my wife and I, conscious of having accomplished the mission entrusted to us," Acosta said in his concluding remarks. "We thank all of you for having so kindly taken part in our fascinating journey of 8740 days and for your support which has enabled us to build and consolidate the world of volleyball."