Vienna, Austria, August 1, 2017 – Beach volleyball players competing in Vienna at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships were excited to learn that the 2024 Olympics is expected to be held in Paris, while the 2028 Olympics is expected to be hosted by Los Angeles. The full International Olympic Committee membership still must ratify the arrangement in September in Peru.
Paris will host beach volleyball at Champ de Mars at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. No players from France qualified for the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, but 2012 Olympic champion Julius Brink of Germany finished top-four at three FIVB World Tour events in Paris, and has fond memories of the city. “When you serve, photographers can make it look like you are serving right into the Eiffel Tower,” Brink said. “It is definitely one of the iconic places to play beach volleyball. I won my Olympic gold medal in London at Horse Guards Parade, and Paris is at the same level.”
Paris2024 is expected to host Olympic beach volleyball at the foot of the Eiffel Tower
Santa Monica Beach, the birthplace of beach volleyball, will host the sport for Los Angeles. Two-time Olympic medallist April Ross, who lives in Southern California and serves on the Athletes’ Advisory Commission for the Los Angeles Bid Committee, loves the view from the Santa Monica Pier. “Beach volleyball would be epic at the Santa Monica Pier because the sunsets are amazing and the days are long,” Ross said. “It gets a ton of foot traffic because it is a tourist attraction. Beach volleyball would be packed for sure in Santa Monica.”
Santa Monica has a special place in the heart of American Kelly Claes. She went on her first date with her boyfriend, Andrew, at the Pier, riding the Ferris wheel, playing arcade games and watching the sunset. She hopes to have the opportunity to compete at the 2028 Olympics. “Being at home, that would be unreal,” she said.