Paris 2024: Introduction to sitting volleyball

Welcome to Week 14 of Paris 2024 Paralympic Sports Weeks. This week, everything you need to know about sitting volleyball – a team sport featuring constant motion, communication and bursts of explosiveness.

There will be eight men’s and eight women’s teams competing at Paris 2024. In the men’s tournament, hosts France will be joined by Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Islamic Republic of Iran, bronze medallists Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

The women’s team will feature hosts France, Tokyo 2020 gold medallists USA, silver medallists China, bronze medallists Brazil, Canada, Italy, Rwanda and Slovenia.

Brief history of sitting volleyball

Sitting volleyball became part of the Paralympic programme at Arnhem 1980. Seven teams competed in the inaugural men’s tournament won by the Netherlands.

The women’s event was introduced 14 years later at Athens 2004. China earned the gold medal, with the Netherlands taking silver and the USA taking bronze. The Chinese women’s team went on to top the podium at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

On the men’s side, the Islamic Republic of Iran have been the dominating force, amassing seven gold medals and two silver since the sport was introduced at Arnhem 1980. Their long-time rivals Bosnia and Herzegovina have won two golds, three silver and a bronze.

What to watch in sitting volleyball

Are you ready to watch fast and exciting rallies at the Paris 2024 Paralympics?

In sitting volleyball, two teams of six players try to score points by grounding the ball on the opponent’s side of the court. Athletes must be seated and they move by sliding around the court, which is 10 metres by 6 metres in size.

Sitting volleyball matches are the best of five sets. The first team to score 25 points or 15 points in the fifth set, with at least a two-point lead, wins the set.

Play begins with a service over the net, and each team is allowed up to three touches to cross the ball over the net. A libero in the back row can only defend, ensuring the ball does not touch the court, and the other players set up the attacking moves.

In sitting volleyball, athletes have impairments in either the upper or lower limbs or both. Depending on the impact of impairment on performance, athletes are grouped in VS1 or VS2 sport classes. Up to two VS2 athletes can be on a team’s roster.

Memorable Paralympic moments

Sitting volleyball made its Paralympic debut along with standing volleyball at Arnhem 1980 in the Netherlands. The Dutch team beat Sweden in straight sets in the final and defended their title at the 1984 Games that took place in Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain, and New York, USA.

Egypt claimed the bronze medal in the men’s tournament at Athens 2004, becoming the first nation from Africa to reach the Paralympic podium in sitting volleyball. The team finished on the podium again at Rio 2016 after beating home favourites Brazil in the bronze medal match.

At the Rio 2016 Paralympics, the USA ended China’s winning streak in the women’s event. The US women won the final against China in straight sets.

Rwanda made history in the Brazilian city. They became the first women’s sitting volleyball team to represent Africa. They finished eighth.

Five years later, at Tokyo 2020, Iran and the USA came out with terrific performances to win their second straight Paralympic gold medals. In the men’s tournament, Iran finished on top of the podium for the seventh time. Morteza Mehrzadselakjani was named the Most Valuable Player after scoring a total of 80 points during the tournament.

The United States defended the women’s sitting volleyball title with a resounding 3-1 victory over archrivals China. US captain Kathryn Holloway was named the Most Valuable Player.

Paris 2024 programme

Preliminary round matches will be held from 29 August-3 September, followed by classification matches and the semi-finals. The bronze medal and gold medal matches are scheduled for 6-7 September.

Men’s eight-team tournament

France joined Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt and Kazakhstan in Pool A. Defending Paralympic champions Islamic Republic of Iran will face Brazil, Germany and Ukraine in Pool B for a place in the semifinals.

Women’s eight-team tournament

In the women’s tournament, France were drawn against Tokyo 2020 gold medallists USA, silver medallists China and Italy in Pool A. Reigning Paralympic bronze medallists Brazil will take on Canada, Rwanda and Slovenia in Pool B.

Les poules de volleyball assis sont révélées 🏐 Les athlètes se préparent à affronter leurs adversaires 👀

Il ne leur manque rien sauf vous, prenez vos billets pour les supporter du 29 août au 7 septembre sur : https://t.co/PsknLSlbtu ! pic.twitter.com/5NiNoYh4NT

— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) May 21, 2024

Paris 2024 venue

If you are interested in watching sitting volleyball competitions in person, the North Paris Arena in Seine-Saint-Denis is your destination. The Villepinte exhibition centre is the largest venue of its kind in France, with nine halls and space for 6,000 spectators. It will turn into a huge sports arena during the Paralympic and Olympic Games.

Book your tickets for the Paralympic Games by visiting the Paris 2024 ticketing website.