(23 July 1996; Day 4)
In the Centennial Games of the Olympics and the celebration of the history of Olympic sports, beach volleyball is just a johnny come-lately.
The sport spawned on the sunny beaches of Santa Monica, California in 1930, has caught on nationally and then internationally just in the last decade. The IOC granted beach volleyball medal status just three years ago. To that end, the beach volleyball team from the United States, perhaps more than any other, take a personal responsibility to act as ambassador for the sport.
"I definitely feel like an ambassador for the sport," said Linda HANLEY, the oldest player on the USA team. "I was there whey we played for T-shirts and dinners. And now to be able to make a living at it and be an Olympian, I just can't ask for anything more."
Throughout the first morning of the initial debut of beach volleyball at the Atlanta Beach venue, athletes from different nations agree on one thing. The consensus is that beach volleyball is still evolving and that the changes are coming fast and furious. Beach volleyball was the biggest growth sport from 1987-94 with a 38 percent increase in participation.
"This is the biggest day for beach volleyball since its inception. We are showcasing our sport to the world. The more exposure it gets the faster and bigger it will grow. It is a priviledge to be part of that" said Barbra FONTANA HARRIS.
Having marquis names from traditional, indoor volleyball has helped put the sport on the map as well. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Karch KIRALYI will vie to be the first three-time volleyball gold medalist. With his and others participation on the tour, television coverage helped put the sport on the map.
"When cable television and then network television got involved, it attracted sponsorships" said HANLEY. "Sponsorships helped the tour and here we are at the Olympics."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Nancy Smith.
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| Pin trading was one of the most popular Olympic sports, with more than 1.2 million pins changing hands during the Games in the Coca Cola Pin Trading Center at Centennial Olympic Park. |