Volleyball Anticipates Progress in Iran, "Great Show" at Rio 2016 -- ATRadio

(ATR) The International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB) is looking forward to more progress in Iran as well as a "great show" at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Fernando Lima, FIVB secretary general, says the federation is pleased with Iran's recently-announced plan to allow "women and families" to enter sports stadiums.

He adds that the FIVB is now waiting to see how Iran will put this plan into action.

"The issue is not only about women," Lima tells Around the Rings. "The issue concerns society as a whole.

"You have to create opportunities for sport to take place so that people can express themselves."

Concerns over Iranian restrictions for the attendance of women at men's sporting events peaked following the arrest of Ghoncheh Ghavami in June 2014.

Following her attempt to enter a men's volleyball match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Ghavami was sentenced to a year in jail for spreading anti-state propaganda. On April 2, the 26-year old was pardoned.

At the time, the FIVB threatened not to award Iran the right to host volleyball events until the country had considered lifting its attendance restrictions.

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