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TORONTO, Canada, July 15, 2015 – Argentinean Julio Velasco has
made a name for himself as a renowned coach of national teams
and clubs in professional leagues during his long and successful
career in volleyball.
Now he’s adding a new experience to his personal list of
achievements as the current coach of Argentina and former coach
of the national teams of Italy, Czech Republic, Spain and Iran
is participating in his first Pan American Games.
Velasco is enjoying the experience and compares the atmosphere
he’s living at the Pan American Village to that he has had in
the Olympics.
“Before, I have been as spectator but this is my first
participation. The Pan American Village is always something
special, similar to the Olympics,” said Velasco, who coached
Italy to a silver medal in Atlanta 1996.
About his team, Argentina is bringing a full and the veteran
coach said “we expect to have a great tournament and we are
looking forward to start competing.”
Coaches of the teams expressed their ideas and goals during a
press conference held on Thursday afternoon at the Exhibition
Center of Toronto, the site of the volleyball tournament.
Here the excerpts of their statements:
Julio Velasco, Argentina:
“This is my first time in a Pan American Games. Before, I have
been as spectator but this is my first participation so I am
very happy. The Pan American Village is always something
special, similar to the Olympics. We expect to have a great
tournament. Everything is all right, nice and easy looking
forward to start competing.”
Mauricio Motta, Brazil:
“There are great expectations and it is good to be here in a
very important competition for Brazil. The competition is a
strong one with very good teams like Argentina, Canada and Cuba,
among others. We are bringing a young team and we are going to
take the tournament as a big learning experience.”
Glenn Hoag, Canada:
“It is very special when you play in front of your fans for your
own country at home so is a great event. I think our players are
excited about it and we hope to have a good performance. The
preparation at the FIVB World League before the Pan American
Games should be helpful.”
Eliseo Ramos, Colombia:
“We are here with a young team going through a building process
for the future. It’s an important competition to be at the Pan
American Games playing against teams of a very high level which
is really good as a development experience. We hope to have the
best possible result. That’s the goal of any coach.”
Rodolfo Sanchez, Cuba:
“It is important for us to participate in the Pan American Games
since it is an opportunity for our young team. We have come here
to battle in every match and to see how far we can go.”
Roberto Vilches, Mexico:
“Our team is technically well as we have had a good preparation
at the FIVB World League and the NORCECA Champions Cup in
Detroit. We have lost Carlos Guerra, an experienced athlete who
is disabled now after going through a surgical procedure, and we
will miss him. Now we have improvised with libero Jesus Rangel
in the position as he’s a good receiver.”
Javier Gaspar, Puerto Rico:
“Our goal is very simple, to play hard from first to the last
point in every match. We need to play as a unit while leaving
the results to say the last word. Our team has a few veterans
but also some young athletes who are part of the transition we
are going through. I hope we can elevate the level we showed at
the World League.”
Charles Sullivan, United States:
“It’s been a great welcome we’ve got from everyone here. We feel
very comfortable here and we appreciate that. Our expectations
are to explore our potential. We are working out on some things
to get the best possible of our volleyball team for the United
States.” |
