THE BRAZILIAN WOMEN'S TEAM TRAINS MOTIVATED

Motivation is not lacking in the players of the Brazilian women's volleyball team who are already training in Rio de Janeiro. The four top players Leila (Barros), Virna (Dias), Sandra (Libero), and Ricarda (Lima), have started training for this August's Grand Prix, to be held in Asia, and for the Sydney Olympics this coming September.

Attackers Leila and Virna, bronze medalists in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, are anxious to gain a higher position in the olympic podium. Ricarda promises to give her all and win their first Olympic gold, while veteran player Sandra, surprised everyone when she returned all fit and ready to play just two months after giving birth to her son last fall.

Aware that hardwork is necessary to reach their goal, Virna has thrown herself, body and soul into training, "The Olympic year is always looked forward to with great anxiety for us players," she explains. "The bronze in Atlanta was welcome but people want something more. We know that we'll have to sacrifice a lot for at least 6 months. The group is conscious of what it needs to improve on - in blocking and defense - besides improving individually technique of the attack. Now, we are to forget about our family, children, everything else, but to live volleyball 24 hours a day," Virna adds.

Leila agrees with her teammate and singles out what she sees as most important for her team, "We know that we have our limitations, but nothing that (coach) Bernardinho cannot work on. He tells me to improve on my spike and the will to learn in all_______