We take you through everything you need to know about volleyball in the Olympics – from what disciplines there are, to how many players on a team and more.
There’s no doubt that the Olympics is an exceptionally special event, and one that represents the very pinnacle of so many athletes’ careers. For such a celebrated occasion so drenched in history to be postponed, is unheard of in peacetime. But rather than mourning a summer of what-might-have-beens, we can look to 2021 as being a huge year, with an extra year of anticipation and the likely outpouring of emotion and good vibes round the world that will come with the inevitable end of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Olympic volleyball competition is the most prestigious tournament in the the sport. But the postponement of 2020 won’t dampen the spirits; an extra year of preparation will only further whet the appetite for national volleyball teams across the world, with defending champions Brazil (men) and China (women) gearing up to defend their unique five-year-long reigns as champions. Of course, they will be challenged by the typical powerhouses of Russia and the USA, under the watchful eye of what could be record numbers of fans.
As a monument to the “lost” Tokyo Olympics of 2020, and a build-up to 2021’s celebration, we’re taking a look at everything you need to know about Olympic volleyball: the two disciplines, the rules, the teams, and even the balls.
Olympic Volleyball Quick links
Olympic Volleyball Disciplines
Olympic volleyball started at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, with the home team, Japan winning the women’s gold medal. Then, in 1996 (Atlanta), beach volleyball was added as the sport’s second discipline, following a successful showcase in Barcelona in 1992.
Volleyball in the Olympics
The indoor tournament is contested by 12 teams, with several qualification criteria, including pre-qualification for host nations. The qualification round is a pool event, with the top four teams from each pool advancing to play a traditional knock-out competition (quarterfinals, semi-finals and a final). There is also a bronze medal match (often called a third-place play-off in non-Olympic settings). Each team takes a squad of twelve and there are no injury dispensations.
Beach Volleyball in the Olympics
In beach volleyball, teams of two compete as a pair, with each country being able to…