Beach Volleyball Stars to Watch at the Paris Olympics

The Paris Games beach volleyball competition will feature standout athletes like Norway's Anders Mol and Christian Sørum, and notable American players such as Chase Budinger and reigning world champions Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes. Key dates, storylines, and reigning champions are highlighted in this preview.

The Paris Games are set to feature a highly anticipated beach volleyball competition. Key athletes to watch include Norway's Anders Mol and Christian Sørum, who are reigning champions. Mol underwent surgery in March to repair a broken bone in his left foot.

Former NBA player Chase Budinger and his partner Miles Evans have secured the No. 2 U.S. men's pairing. Among the women, reigning world champions Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes aim to continue the American streak of Olympic medals, with Cheng potentially the only returning Olympian.

Newcomers Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss from the U.S. are also making their Olympic debut, while Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands has qualified post-incarceration. The event will take place at Champ de Mars, adding a festive atmosphere to the competitions. Preliminary rounds commence on July 27, with the women's gold medal match on August 9 and the men's the following night.

(With inputs from agencies.)