Volleyball

Volleyball traces its origins to 1895, when William G. Morgan, a physical education instructor in the United States, introduced the game as a less physically demanding alternative to basketball. What began as a casual recreational activity quickly evolved into a fast-paced, globally popular sport characterized by its blend of athleticism, strategy, and teamwork.

Played between two teams of six players, the objective is to send the ball over the net and ground it on the opponent’s court while preventing the opposition from doing the same. Each team is permitted up to three successive touches to return the ball. While the rules may seem simple, the game at the elite level is anything but—requiring lightning-fast reflexes, coordinated team dynamics, and split-second decision-making. Spikes can be launched from heights exceeding 3.65 meters and delivered with such velocity that they reach the opposing court in a fraction of a second. Power, agility, and tactical finesse are equally vital for success on the world stage.

Volleyball made its official Olympic debut at the Tokyo 1964 Games, establishing itself as a cornerstone of the Summer Games programme. Beach volleyball, a dynamic two-player variation of the sport played on sand, was later introduced at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and has since become one of the most visually captivating and widely followed events in the Olympic calendar. Both indoor and beach volleyball now feature men’s and women’s competitions.

Qatar entered the Olympic volleyball scene through beach volleyball at the Rio 2016 Games, with the duo of Jefferson Pereira and Cherif Younousse reaching the Round of 16 in a strong debut performance. Building on that momentum, Cherif Younousse, this time alongside teammate Ahmed Tijan, delivered a landmark achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games—clinching the bronze medal and earning Qatar its first-ever Olympic medal in volleyball.