ACOG - News - IBM

(18 July 1996)

Beach Volleyball Makes Olympic Debut

The sport born on the beaches of California toddles onto the world's stage as beach volleyball makes its debut in the 1996 Olympic Games.

Although 20 countries field teams in this newest of medal sports, the USA and Brazilian pairs in both men's and women's are favored.

The USA men's team is a veritable Who's Who of volleyball. Sinjin SMITH, who dominated the young sport in the 1980's, is paired with Carl HENKEL. SMITH, a former King of the Beach champion, hopes to return to his glory days of old. Although he has not won a tour event since 1993, he has a career total of 193 open wins.

The United States has three men's pairs including the team of Karch KIRALYI and Kent STEFFES. KIRALYI, who has dominated the beach volleyball scene in the 1990's after a stellar career on the USA national team, is a favorite for the gold. His experience and all-around play, along with the athleticism of STEFFES, will make them a factor.

Perhaps the hottest pair is the Olympic Trial winning team of Mike DODD and Mike WHITMARSH who have overcome a slight slump and have peaked for the Centennial Games. They are the No. 3 seeded tandem in the world who have won six American Volleyball Professionals (AVP) events. DODD, a 16-year veteran of the tour ,is a former Defensive Player of the AVP selection.

The Brazilian men's pair of Roberto COSTA and Franco VIEIRA NETO will also be in the thick of things.

For the women, Sandra PIRES and Jackie SILVA of Brazil have been unstoppable. However, their impressive 23-event winning streak was snapped by the USA duo of Nancy RENO and Holly MCPEAK, who are currently ranked No. 1 in the world. MCPEAK's defense and aggressive serve complements the powerful hitting and blocking of RENO. The pair have a winning percentage of 87 percent and received the automatic qualifying berth.

Preliminary matches begin 23 July at 9:00 at the Atlanta Beach venue.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Nancy Smith.




Olympic Factoid
Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.