By Duncan MackayFebruary 16 - Tokyo needs the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics to help revive Japan's fortunes following the massive earthquake and tsunami which devastated the country last year, claims bid leader Masato Mizuno.

Tokyo hand in Applicant City file for 2020 Olympic and Paralympic bidFebruary 2012: Tokyo 2020 appoints volleyball

By Tom DegunFebruary 15 - A megastore on Copacabana Beach is to be set-up as part of a $750 million (£479 million/€573 million) licensing programme launched by Rio 2016, it has been announced. 

of Copacabana Beach, one of the most iconic landmarks in Brazil and which is due to host the beach volleyball

By Duncan MackayFebruary 13 - Rome's proposed campaign to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics is hanging in the balance tonight - less than 48 hours before the Applicant City file is due to be delivered - after confusion emerged about whether or not Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti has a meeting scheduled tomorrow to discuss the bid.

Olympics at Tor Vergata Sports City, including a velodrome and two news stadiums that would host volleyball

By Duncan MackayFebruary 13 - Tokyo today delivered their Applicant City file for their bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, two days ahead of the deadline on Wednesday (February 15).

of this story at [email protected] storiesFebruary 2012: Tokyo 2020 appoints volleyball

To round off the visit, some of the delegation also joined locals in a fiercely contested seated volleyball

Algeria joined hosts Great Britain, Italy, the United States and China in qualifying for the women's volleyball

the third-place play-off at the three-day tournament.Kipkemei Sirma, the vice-chairman of the Kenyan Volleyball

Algeria stayed out of continental volleyball for close to five years while building a new team and now

By Tom Degun at the Youth Sport Trust National Conference in TelfordFebruary 9 - Tickets for the conclusion of the 2012 School Games finals on May 9, which will see around 1,600 of Britain's top young sports stars compete at the Olympic Park just two months before the start of London 2012, are set to be all snapped up with just 2,499 of a possible 30,580 remaining, it has been claimed.

fencing, rugby sevens, gymnastics, hockey, badminton, athletics, cycling, judo, swimming, table tennis, volleyball

By Duncan MackayFebruary 4 - Carlos Nuzman (pictured) is set to extend his reign as President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) after most of the country's sports backed his re-election, ensuring he will be in charge when Rio de Janeiro host the 2016 Olympics.

The 69-year-old lawyer and former volleyball player is almost certain to be re-elected to the position

candidature.Support for Nuzman was led by Ary Graça, who had succeeded him as President of Brazilian Volleyball

By Tom DegunFebruary 3 - The 2012 BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester has been confirmed to take place from May 22 until 26, just 100 days before the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

the event will include wheelchair basketball, athletics and seven-a-side football.Boccia and sitting volleyball

By Tom DegunFebruary 2 - The velodrome for the Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games is set to be located in the small town of Milton after it was confirmed at their municipal council meeting that a permanent velodrome will be constructed at the Milton Education Village.

2015 and will include an infield that could support other recreational activities such as basketball, volleyball

By Duncan MackayFebruary 1 - Yuko Arakida, a member of the Japanese volleyball team that won the

By Duncan Mackay in MadridJanuary 30 - Madrid today launched the logo for its bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, an event deemed to be a success despite the fact the logo was quickly mired in controversy with one poll claiming that 81 per cent of Spaniards did not like it and a leading commentator describing it as "naff".

at Beijing in 2008, who will be responsible for operations, and Rafa Pascual, Spain's greatest ever volleyball

By Duncan MackayJanuary 28 - There is unprecedented demand among Brazilians who want to see the Olympics in London this year as Rio de Janeiro prepares to host the Games in 2016.

 The most popular tickets for Brazilians at London 2012 are the volleyball at Earls Court and the

beach volleyball at Horse Guards Parade, representing 44 per cent of the total allocation sold.

 That is no surprise as volleyball is the second most popular sport in Brazil behind football and

sport, including five gold.Their women will go into London 2012 as the defending champions in indoor volleyball

 After volleyball, the most popular sport is basketball with eight per cent and, not surprisingly

By David GoldJanuary 28 - Pantene has launched a new campaign featuring 11-time Olympic medallist Natalie Coughlin, the first American female athlete to win six medals in a single Games.

 The others signed-up include Brazilian Jaqueline Carvalho, who won the beach volleyball gold

By Duncan MackayJanuary 24 - London 2012 today launched World Sport Day, which is due to be held on June 25, in which students will be encouraged to celebrate the athletes and cultures of the world.

as well as Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards, weightlifter Zoe Smith and sitting volleyball