France

Six of the twelve players who will represent France at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, including against the United States when France begin their tournament on Saturday, were also part of the team which participated in the Olympic volleyball tournament in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, five years ago. It was an experience that Earvin Ngapeth, Benjamin Toniutti, Jenia Grebennikov, Nicolas Le Goff, Trévor Clevenot and Kevin Tillie will hope puts the team in a good place as they aim to progress from their pool in Japan.

The team have matured since 2016 winning their second FIVB Volleyball World League in 2017 by defeating hosts Brazil in the final in Curitiba, and winning silver at the inaugural edition of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League in 2018. France earned their berth at the Tokyo Games in January 2020 when they topped the European Continental Tokyo Volleyball Qualification tournament ahead of Germany, Bulgaria and Slovenia.

Looking back to the Games in Rio in 2016, Le Goff says lack of experience cost the team. "We were a little young," he said. "We were playing our first Olympics, I think we were a little naive."

"We were a little overcome by the magnitude of the event," added Ngapeth. France were making their first appearance at the Olympics since Athens 2004 and lost their first match in straight sets against Italy, who went on to win silver.

"Our experience does not mean we will win a medal," added Le Goff. "But having already experienced an Olympic competition will certainly help."

France aim to hit the ground running in Tokyo, focusing on being at their best from the very first point of their first match against USA on Saturday. With every set and every point potentially counting towards qualifying from their pool, they know the stakes are high.

Coach Laurent Tillie agrees. "In Rio we were lacking experience, we were rediscovering the Olympics 12 years after our previous participation. And what really is important in a competition of this kind is a continuous presence. This year the players have the kind of experience which is really important. Our Rio experience has taught us that our mission is to progress from the pool phase and that there is no point having other goals for now."

France are in Pool B at the Tokyo Olympics alongside reigning Olympic champions Brazil, USA, ROC, Argentina and Tunisia. USA were bronze medallists in 2016.