Beach Volleyball Olympic Games Paris 2024

Ambani family and Zinedine Zidane among top guests at packed Paris 2024 beach volleyball venue

Sun shines down on beach volleyball venue as honoured guests flock to most iconic venue

Published 08:59, 28 Jul 2024

The Eiffel Tower Stadium was pumping throughout the second day of competition as the sun came out to energise the athletes and the fans that lined the packed venue, while a number Heads of States, government leaders and sports stars visited to enjoy the beach volleyball vibes.

FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° welcomed IOC Member Nita Ambani and her husband Mukesh Ambani to the beach volleyball venue as the sun gave way to an incredible light show synchronised between the Eiffel Tower and stadium. The President presented the Ambani family with a mini Paris 2024 beach volleyball and a bespoke FIVB pin.

Legendary French footballer Zinedine Zidane paid a visit to the iconic venue to catch some rays under the Eiffel Tower and relax after carrying the torch in the Opening Ceremony.

Zidane poses with a mini Paris 2024 beach volleyball presented by the FIVB

The FIVB President also had the pleasure of meeting the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb as the evening session got underway.

FIVB President with Finland President and First Lady

Meanwhile, the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, stopped by the venue in the morning to see Spain’s Liliana Fernаndez & Paula Soria get today’s competition underway. Australian Sports Minister Anika Wells also visited the venue during the morning session.

Estonian President Alar Karis (right) was greeted by FIVB officials in the beach volleyball sunshine

Australian Sports Minister (centre) with FIVB Head of Beach Volleyball Yu Cao and Technical & Development Head Steve Tutton

The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, came to cheer on the beach volleyball duo of Monika Paulikiene & Aine Raupelyte in their Olympic debut. The pair are the first women’s pair to represent Lithuania at an Olympic Games.

Lithuania President President Gitanas Nausėda (third from right) enjoys Lithuania’s Olympic beach volleyball debut

The Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC) also got in on the action during the evening session, with SOPC President HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al-Saud, Vice President HH Prince Fahad Bin Jalawi Al Saud and Secretary General Abdulaziz Baeshen soaking up the beach volleyball vibes.

SOPC delegation in the stands at the Eiffel Tower Stadium

First Lady of Brazil Rosângela Lula da Silva also graced the stands of the Eiffel Tower, where she watched Brazil’s Ana Patrícia & Duda win in a match against Egypt’s Marwa & D. Elghobashy.