Beach Volleyball at Paris 2024: All You Need To Know About Sport, Venue, Athletes to Watch and Key Storylines

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Paris, July 12: As the excitement builds for the Paris 2024 Summer Games, beach volleyball is set to captivate audiences with its high-energy matches and picturesque backdrop.

Held at the iconic Champ de Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, this event promises a blend of athleticism and spectacle. Here's a roadmap to the competition, highlighting the top athletes and key storylines to watch. Paris Olympics Special Page | Indian contingent for Paris Olympics 2024

Paris Olympics Beach Volleyball Athletes to Watch

1. Anders Mol and Christian Sørum (Norway)

Achievements: Reigning Olympic champions and dominant figures in men's beach volleyball.

Storyline: Mol had surgery in March to repair a broken bone in his left foot, making their performance in Paris even more compelling as they defend their title.

2. Chase Budinger and Miles Evans (United States)

Achievements: Budinger, a former NBA player, has transitioned successfully to beach volleyball.

Storyline: The 6-foot-7 Budinger and his partner Evans have earned their spot as the No. 2 U.S. men's pair, bringing an intriguing dynamic of athletic crossover to the competition.

3. Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes (United States)

Achievements: Reigning world champions with high expectations.

Storyline: Cheng, potentially the only American with Olympic experience, and Hughes aim to continue the U.S. streak of medals on the women's side.

4. Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss (United States)

Achievements: Rising stars making their Olympic debut.

Storyline: The duo's contrasting heights-Kloth at 6-foot-4 and Nuss at 5-foot-6-bring a unique dynamic to the court.

5. Steven van de Velde (Netherlands)

Achievements: Qualified for the Olympics after a significant personal comeback.

Storyline: Van de Velde's journey includes overcoming a prison sentence for a rape conviction, adding a layer of redemption to his Olympic appearance.

Iconic Venue for beach volleyball in Paris 2024

The beach volleyball tournament will be held at the Champ de Mars, adding a scenic and historic dimension to the competition. The park, once a training ground for Napoleon Bonaparte, will transform into a beach volleyball paradise, showcasing the sport's telegenic appeal.

American Women's Legacy: The U.S. women's teams have been dominant, winning four of the past five gold medals. With legends like Misty May-Treanor retired and Kerri Walsh Jennings at 45, the torch is being passed to a new generation. Tokyo champions April Ross and Alix Klineman have taken time off to start families, opening the field for new champions.

Paris Olympics Beach Volleyball Key Dates

Preliminary Rounds: Start on July 27.

Women's Gold Medal Match: Scheduled for August 9.
Men's Gold Medal Match: Scheduled for August 10.

Reigning Champions

Men: Anders Mol and Christian Sørum (Norway)
Women: Alix Klineman and April Ross (United States)

As the preliminary rounds kick off on July 27, all eyes will be on these top athletes and the unfolding storylines. The women's and men's gold medal matches will culminate on August 9 and 10 to provide memorable moments for the enthusiasts.

(With Inputs From AP)