Brazil's best beach volleyballer of 2007, Franco, decided on Tuesday to give up his hopes of playing in the Beijing Olympics.

The 41-year-old was forced to switch his partner at the last minute after an ankle injury forced Pedro Cunha out of the rest of the year.

"The dream is over. The injury was bad for both of us. The dream of returning to the Olympics is over," said Franco.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2008)