Simone Kuhn and Lea Schwar felt lucky for they finally were in the Beijing Olympic Games, as an Austria pair retired for injury.

"We received the information just on Wednesday," said Roger Schegg, leader of the Swiss beach volleyball team. "And we have to organize everything very quick."

"It was very lucky for us but I still feel sorry for the Austrian pair. It was very bad luck for them because they have injuries," added Schegg.

Kuhn and Schwar didn't prepare too much for the Olympics as their last tournament was almost two weeks ago and they failed out.

"The good thing is that the tournament was in Switzerland and they had about three-day rest," said Schegg.

"I think the men's matches will be hard. About 12 pairs have the chance to win the title and Swiss pairs are among them," said Schegg. "And the women's matches will be difficult and I think Lea and Simone will be in the top eight." Switzerland sent four men and two women to play in beach volleyball. Martin Laciga, who finished fifth in Athens Games in 2004, will pair Jan Schnider. And Athens bronze medalist Patrick Heuscher will play with Sascha Heyer.

Laciga swept the rumors about his back-injury.

"I'm back! With a good Back." said Laciga.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)