WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.120 --> 00:00:02.560 Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, 2 00:00:02.840 --> 00:00:08.520 It is my great pleasure to join today my dear friend, prime minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, 3 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:15.640 in announcing the joint Polish/Slovenian co-hosting of the 2022 World Volleyball Championship for men. 4 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:21.960 The International Volleyball Federation has recognized rich sporting potential of our two countries 5 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:29.080 and the role we are playing in facing the atrocities we are witnessing in Ukraine by the Russian aggressors. 6 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:37.120 Taking into account current political circumstances the event could of course no longer take place in Russia. 7 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:40.520 This is something we could have never allowed. 8 00:00:41.160 --> 00:00:44.120 That's why we decided to organise it elsewhere. 9 00:00:44.800 --> 00:00:50.200 The main motivation for our decision was that we wanted the Russian aggressors 10 00:00:50.720 --> 00:00:54.920 and not the rest of the sporting world, to be held accountable. 11 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:02.000 Thanks to our swift and decisive joint decision the event will take place in Poland and Slovenia 12 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:06.000 without the participation of the Russian volleyball players. 13 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:09.560 We are glad that our strong friendship with Poland 14 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:15.120 will be expressed in the organisation of such a large and prestigious sporting event 15 00:01:15.600 --> 00:01:20.360 that will bring together best men volleyball players from around the world. 16 00:01:22.080 --> 00:01:25.760 Slovenian sport is the story about the love for sports. 17 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:30.080 It is a story of passion, dedication and teamwork. 18 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:33.040 And it is a success story. 19 00:01:33.960 --> 00:01:37.360 Volleyball has been among the most successful sports in my country. 20 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:42.440 Slovenia's volleyball euphoria has been there for quite some time. 21 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:50.800 Our players won the first silver medal at the 2015 Men's European Championship in Bulgaria and Italy. 22 00:01:51.520 --> 00:01:55.360 We have, together with Belgium, the Netherlands and France, 23 00:01:55.800 --> 00:02:01.480 co-hosted the European championship in 2019 and won the silver medal. 24 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:05.120 Our players showed exceptional performance. 25 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:10.880 Slovenia also proved to be a good organizer having all the necessary infrastructure 26 00:02:11.320 --> 00:02:17.520 for such a big sporting event, bringing together so many players and thousands of fans. 27 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:27.400 Our sports community is based on the values of open competition, fair play, respect, solidarity and integrity. 28 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:31.640 These are values that the whole world is calling for today. 29 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:40.000 And these are the values that will surely be at the forefront of the 2022 World Volleyball Championship. 30 00:02:40.600 --> 00:02:49.720 I would like to take this advantage of this opportunity to sincerely thank all Slovenian volleyball players 31 00:02:50.160 --> 00:02:56.840 who have with their results put the name of Slovenia on the top of world's sports achievements. 32 00:02:57.440 --> 00:03:02.920 Next Volleyball Championship will certainly be a unique sporting event. 33 00:03:03.640 --> 00:03:09.440 Today we therefore invite all 24 national teams from across the globe 34 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:14.680 and their fans to participate in this year's World Volleyball Championship 35 00:03:14.880 --> 00:03:20.040 which will take place in safe and peace-loving European countries. 36 00:03:20.720 --> 00:03:23.560 You are all warmly welcome in Slovenia. 37 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:25.240 Thank you for your attention.