Beach Volleyball

Beach volleyball became popular in the 1980s, played originally on the beaches of Southern California. It was described by one prominent Olympic historian, Ian Buchanan, as “Baywatch with a medal ceremony”. Unlike the indoor six-person game, beach volleyball is played usually by two-person teams, although events with four-person teams have been contested. The game is played on a sand-based surface.

The international governing body of beach volleyball is the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), which was formed in April 1947, and had 218 affiliated national federations as of 2024.

Beach volleyball was added to the Olympic Programme in 1996 and has since been contested at each Olympics. The first men’s gold medal went to the United States’ team of Karch Kiraly, often considered the greatest ever volleyballer, and his teammate Kent Steffes. Among the men, both Emanuel and Ricardo (BRA) are the most successful players as of 2024, with a full set of medals.

Two women, both from the United States, have won three gold medals, with Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor winning the title in 2004, 2008, and 2012. Walsh Jennings also won a bronze in 2016, increasing her record to four medals won at the Olympic Games.

Through 2024, the two dominant nations have been the United States, with 11 medals and seven golds, and Brazil, with 14 medals and four golds.