Beach volleyball: everything you need to know about this sport

It was in California on the beaches of Santa Monica that beach volleyball made its appearance in the early 1920s. At the Olympic Games, it was not until 1992 in Barcelona that this sport was first introduced as a demonstration before becoming a full-fledged event during the 1996 edition in Atlanta. With this media exposure, its growth has only increased throughout the world and courses are being created on beaches in the four corners of the globe.

Marked by strong American domination during the first editions, beach volleyball saw the emergence of numerous countries, particularly in Europe, which can now claim a medal and reverse the balance of power for this 8th Olympic beach event. volleyball.

Created on the beaches of California, it makes sense that this sport is dominated largely by Americans. In seven Olympic events to that point, the United States has amassed 3 gold medals (with two teams in the final in 1996). Brazil also won 6 medals, including two gold (2004 and 2016). But since 2012, it is the European countries that have emerged and hit hard during the Olympic tournaments.

The reigning champions are the Norwegians with Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. Among the women, it is also the United States which wins everything or almost everything. April Ross and Alexandra Klineman brought their country's fourth gold medal in the last games. Brazilians like Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor have inscribed their names in the pantheon of this sport with their three Olympic titles.

The teams are made up of two players, without substitutes, and compete on a field 16 meters long by 8 wide. The match is played in two sets of 21 points, in the event of a tie the third and final set will only have 15. To win a set, there must be at least two points difference. For women the net is placed at a height of 2m24 while for men it is at 2m43.

Each team is allowed three touches of the ball to send the ball into the opposing camp with any part of its body. If the ball bounces on the line it is considered in the field. It is forbidden to touch the net otherwise the point will be awarded to the opposing team, which makes countering very difficult. As long as a team scores, it keeps the serve, but in case of a miss, there is no second chance, the point goes to the opposing team. Each ball sent to the opponent must be hit.

The competition will begin at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on July 27, 2024. The first round will take place until August 3. Then the round of 16 will be played on 4 and 5 followed by the quarter finals on 6 and 7. The men's and women's semi-finals will be held on August 8 before the women's final will be played on August 9 and the men's on 10.