The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in the French capital, promise an unforgettable sporting spectacle! And among the sports featured in the competition, volleyball and beach volleyball... Two sports combining technique, strategy and team spirit, highlighted at various emblematic venues and offering spectators a unique experience for the occasion.
Volleyball, invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan at the University of Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, aimed to create a less intense sport than basketball for middle-aged men. The sport quickly gained in popularity, evolving into the dynamic game we know today, characterized by passing, spiking and blocking. Beach volleyball, meanwhile, emerged on the beaches of Santa Monica in the 1920s, offering a more relaxed but equally competitive version of volleyball.
Volleyball made its official entry into the Olympic program in 1964, at the Tokyo Games, while beach volleyball was introduced more recently, at the Atlanta Games in 1996. Since then, these sports have gained in prestige and popularity, with athletes becoming international stars and moments of play remaining engraved in Olympic history.
Beach volleyball was introduced at the Olympic Games as an official sport in Atlanta in 1996, following a first demonstration appearance in Barcelona in 1992. Since then, Brazil and the USA have dominated the discipline, together collecting 24 of the 42 medals awarded, including 10 gold. Apart from these two nations, only Germany, Australia and Norway have managed to win Olympic gold in beach volleyball, each in different editions.
Among the French athletes to watch out for at Paris 2024, some names are already standing out. In volleyball, Earvin Ngapeth, known for his spectacular performances and his key role in the French team, is one of the most eagerly awaited players, as are Kevin Tillie and Stéphen Boyer, to name but a few. But of course, the whole team, gold medallists at the last Olympic Games (as a reminder), will be under the microscope.
In beach volleyball, the pair ofAlexia Richard and Lézana Placette, recent medallists on the international circuit, represent France's hope in this discipline, although the final selection has yet to be announced. With their talent and determination, these athletes embody the spirit of the Games and promise to fly the flag for France at this historic event.
Beach volleyball: where can you learn and practice this ball sport in Paris and the Ile-de-France region?
Does beach volleyball in Paris and the Ile-de-France sound strange? Well, it's possible (but not necessarily all year round)! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, clubs affiliated to the French Beach Volleyball Federation offer training sessions, free games and tournaments in emblematic locations. Immerse yourself in the world of this sport and its history, and discover the best places to start or perfect your game in Paris and the Paris region! [Read more]
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Beach volleyball: where can you learn and practice this ball sport in Paris and the Ile-de-France region?
