Volleyball officially became an Olympic sport in 1964. The Olympic Games were happening in Tokyo, Japan, at that time.

When did volleyball become an Olympic sport for the first time? In 1924, volleyball participated as an unofficial game in the Paris games for the first time. After the foundation of FIVB (International Volleyball Federation), it became an official sport in the Olympics. FIVB works effortlessly to promote the sport by providing funds and organizing events and tournaments.

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) also contributed its best that volleyball become a sport in the Olympics. Their work is also remarkable for the promotion of volleyball.

When did volleyball become an Olympic sport for both men and women?

Both men’s and women’s volleyball teams became part of the Olympics in 1964, simultaneously in Tokyo.

The Soviet Union won the first gold medal in men’s, and Japan won the first gold medal in women’s in the history of volleyball for the first time.

When did beach volleyball become an Olympic sport?

In 1996, beach volleyball became an official Olympic sport due to its popularity.

Volleyball is a game that has flexible formats It can be played indoors, outdoors, on the beach, in the field, or on snow. Usually, it is played on the grounds and the beach. When volleyball was introduced in the Olympics, it was only played on grounds, but later in 1996 at the Atlanta Olympic Beach, volleyball also became a part of the Olympic sport. 

Which is now enjoyed worldwide, especially in European countries.

Which countries participate for the first time in Olympic volleyball?

The USA, the former Soviet Union, Japan, France, Poland, and the Netherlands were the first countries that played volleyball at the Olympics.

Japan and the former Soviet Union are the first countries to win gold at the Olympics for the first time in volleyball history.

FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) contribution to volleyball at the Olympics

FIVB was founded in 1947 and is still working as a governing body for volleyball in the whole world. It played a very important role in the past as well as now in the development and popularity of volleyball sport.

In the 20th century, volleyball was only famous in the USA, but due to the continuous efforts of FIVB, it gradually became a popular sport in the whole world. Now volleyball is played in almost 200 countries, and it is quite famous in the European and Asian regions. FIVB organizes volleyball tournaments and gives financial support to this game in almost all regions. It organizes championships and tournaments worldwide for the development of players, coaches, and volleyball itself.

It has a very important role in making volleyball an official sport at the Olympics; its contributions are remarkable; without it, volleyball can’t become an official sport at the Olympics. The inclusion of volleyball in the Olympics is its biggest and most remarkable achievement.

Contribution of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to the volleyball at Olympics

In 1957, after voting, the IOC decided to make volleyball an official sport at the Olympics, and in 1964 at the Tokyo Olympics.

The IOC is the body that decides about games, their participation in the Olympics, the organization of events, players, hosting countries, funding, revenue generation, and all organizational tasks of an Olympic event.

When was volleyball added to the Paralympics format at the Olympics?

In 1980, volleyball was added to the Paralympic format at the Olympics. After its success and continuous popularity, it is becoming a more developed sport. This proves volleyball is expanding itself almost in every tournament and championship happening in the sports world.

Hardships of volleyball at the Olympics?

• boycotts by famous countries like the USA and Soviet Union. USA boycotts at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, and the Soviet Union boycotts at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 as a result. Which affects the true spirit of games.
•  Politics affect the game badly not only at the Olympics but also on other levels
• It affects almost every game. Some of the board of governors does not have any funds or revenue available for games, and as a result, players AND everything related to the organization are badly impacted
• This game also has intense physical challenges for players and also has a risk of injury as this game has high-impact movements.
• climate changes also affect the game and performance of volleyball, as volleyball is not only restricted to indoors; is  also an outdoor game
• Selection and qualification for an event is also a problem for many players and teams. As volleyball becomes more famous, its competition also increases.

Which country holds the most gold medals at the Olympics in volleyball?

US scores the most gold medals in volleyball in the Olympics. The US has the best record of medals in both formats of volleyball, beach volleyball, and indoor volleyball. The US won the game in both men’s and women’s formats.

Other countries that are dominant in volleyball and the Olympics are the Soviet Union and Brazil in both men’s and women’s.

Which countries are currently playing volleyball at the Olympics?

Following the list of countries that are participating in Olympic events currently

• US
• Brazil
• Russia
• Poland
• Netherlands
• Japan
• China
• Serbia
• Turkey
• Italy
• Argentina
• Germany
• France
• Canada
• Australia
• Canada
• Iran
• Finland
• South Korea
• Bulgaria
• Cuba

What is the format of volleyball at the Olympics?

Like many other games, it has a preliminary round, which is followed by knockout rounds. Every team needs to win a match and points to progress further in the Olympic tournament.

There are 12 teams of both men’s and women’s at the event; each team consists of 6 players and a substitute on the court. These 12 teams are divided into two groups each of six. Then these groups qualify further for quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, respectively, based on point scoring.

Benefits to volleyball after its participation in the Olympics

Volleyball gets many benefits after getting into the world of the Olympics

• It became more popular and famous among people.
• it gets more funds for its development
• It becomes more attractive
• Volleyball players and coaches get more attractive chances for their growth as professional players.
• volleyball gets more recognition as a game in the whole world

What is the future of volleyball in the Olympics?

The future of volleyball at the Olympics is bright. as volleyball is played in both indoor and outdoor formats. The game is generating more funds and revenue.

Winners of volleyball in the Olympics

• 1964 Olympics: The Soviet Union won the men’s and Japan won the women’s finals at Tokyo
• 1968 Olympics: The Soviet Union won both men’s and women’s finals in Mexico.
• 1972 Olympics: Poland won the men’s gold medal and Japan won the women’s gold medal at Munich.
• 1976 Olympics: Poland won the men’s final and Germany won the women’s at Montreal.
• 1980 Olympics: both men’s and women’s finals were won by the Soviet Union in Moscow.
• 1984 Olympics: both men’s and women’s finals were won by the US in Los Angeles.
• 1988 Olympics: men won by the Soviet Union and women by Japan at Seoul.
• 1992 Olympics: men’s final by the former Soviet Union and women’s finals by Cuba at Barcelona.
• 1996 Olympics: both men’s and women’s finals were won by Brazil at Atlanta.
• 2000 Olympics: men’s final won by Yugoslavia and women’s by Russia at Sydney.
• 2004 Olympics: Brazil won the men’s indoor volleyball and men’s beach volleyball gold medals. China won the women’s indoor volleyball gold. Australia won the women’s beach volleyball gold at Athens.
• 2008 Olympics: The US won the men’s indoor volleyball gold medal. Brazil won the women’s indoor volleyball gold and both the men’s and women’s beach volleyball gold medals in Beijing.
• 2012 Olympics: Russia won the men’s indoor volleyball gold. The US won both the women’s indoor volleyball gold and the women’s beach volleyball gold. Brazil won the men’s beach volleyball gold in London.
• 2016 Olympics: Brazil won the men’s indoor volleyball gold and both the men’s and women’s beach volleyball gold medals. China won the women’s indoor volleyball gold at Rio de Janeiro.
• 2020 Olympics: men’s indoors by France and women’s indoors by Serbia. Brazil beach volleyball, men’s won by Australia and women’s by Brazil at Tokyo. Due to COVID-19, these games were held in 2021.