To participate in the Olympics certainly is the greatest achievement for every successful athlete. It takes a long ride paved with hard work and dedication to get there, but representing your country at this outstanding, world's most important multi-sport competition seems to be worth every drop of effort.

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FIVB World Tour 2015 is, along with the Continental Cup, a part of the second round of qualifications for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. When it comes to summer sports, beach volleyball is determined to become the leading one.  In August 2016, beach volleyball will conquer the Brazilian coast, and prove itself as the most attractive sport nowadays.

Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series, as part of the FIVB World Tour, is clear with its goal and mission, that is to earn beach volleyball the spotlight it deserves, with the support of new partners, new rules and an extremely fun approach. Poreč Major, the first of four tournaments of  the series is determined to present itself as an outstanding choice for the beginning of the world's most prestigious beach volleyball series.  

How to get to Rio?

International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) updated the qualification process for Beach Volleyball at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, to outline the tournaments eligible for points for the current Olympic cycle. There are 12 participating countries that will qualify based on acquired achievements, in the period from January 1st 2015 until June 12th 2016. Every country has the right to send two representative teams.

There will be 24 pairs per gender, who have to  fulfill presented criteria set out in the regulations of the Federation. The Host Country is guaranteed to have one place per gender, and the right to participate in all qualification events to earn a second quota place.
Other places are reserved for 15 best FIVB World Ranking teams, one for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship winners, and remaining places will go to the most successful players at the Continental Cup (similar to Davis Cup in tennis).

As said, the road to Summer Olympics is not a piece of cake, but for every professional athlete, it seems to be the road they'd choose any time, because if your name is on the list, it is obvious you are one of the world's best!