Get Inspired: How to play Volleyball
The first beach volleyball circuit involving hundreds of players and five California beaches began in the 1950s. Signs of the sport’s continuing popularity came in the 1960s when Marilyn Monroe and John F Kennedy watched a tournament, and the Beatles even tried to play while in California.
Beach volleyball had to wait until 1996 to make its Olympic debut in the Atlanta Games, with the USA and Brazil dominating the medal count since its introduction.
The first international beach volleyball tour in 1990 involved three tournaments, 40 athletes and three countries. In 2011, the season consisted of 30 tournaments (14 for men, 16 for women), with total prize money of £4.8m.
It is not true that the women are obliged to wear bikinis – they have always been able to choose from a one or two-piece uniform, and in London had the option of wearing shorts and sleeved tops.
More on the IOC website, external
Are you inspired to try Beach Volleyball? Or maybe you are an enthusiast already? Get in touch and tell us your experience of the game by tweeting us on @bbcgetinspired, external or email us on getinspired@bbc.co.uk., external
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