Ary S. Graça, the Brazilian FIVB President elected to office in September 2012, was enthusiastic about the year ahead for volleyball and highlighted the pinnacle moment at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (26 July - 11 August). He stressed the importance of the decisive matches in the qualifying rounds for the teams that have yet to secure a place at the thirty-third Olympic Games of the modern era. 

The 80-year-old and former "Verdeamerela" representative foresees a significant year for both traditional indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. The Olympic qualifying process is already underway and will dominate the first half of the year, with numerous matches vying for a ticket to the French capital. 

From May to June, the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2024 will take place, with teams competing for the prestigious title and valuable points in the FIVB World Ranking points, before the final five Olympic qualifying spots are decided after the preliminary rounds.

In beach volleyball, an increasingly popular amateur sport with huge growth potential, national teams will be looking to accumulate points in the FIVB Olympic Ranking to secure their place at the Olympics in July. The first half of the Beach Pro Tour, now in its third season, provides a crucial opportunity to earn points while captivating fans in fantastic locations around the world. 

The Paris 2024 Games will be the eighth edition that beach volleyball has been featured, having made its debut in Atlanta in 1996. Brazil and the United States are the two traditional powerhouses of the sport. The South Americans will be looking for redemption after missing out on the podium for the first time at Tokyo 2020, while the North Americans will be looking to surpass the seven medals they have won in their history.

The Paris 2024 beach volleyball competitions will be held at the iconic Champ de Mars, with the temporary Eiffel Tower stadium hosting all the beach volleyball events. 

A total of 24 teams per gender will participate in Paris. France has secured its place as the host country, while the remaining slots will be determined by the two winning pairs (one male and one female) from the 2023 Beach Volleyball World Championships. In addition, the top 17 teams (per gender) in the FIVB Olympic Ranking, based on performances from 1 January 2023 to 10 June 2024, will qualify. 

Valid events for ranking results are the 2023 FIVB Senior World Championships, the Beach Pro Tour (Elite, Challenge, Future, and Finals), and the finals of recognised Continental Tours. The last five tickets per gender will be allocated at the five Olympic Continental Tournaments, guaranteeing passage to the winning pairs. The final phase of these events will take place from 13-23 June 2024.

As for indoor volleyball, the action will take place in the South Paris Arena, located at the Paris Expo. With France defending its men's title from Tokyo 2020, the competition is expected to be intense and full of sporting excellence, guaranteeing full and lively stands and an electric atmosphere. 

But the volleyball action doesn't stop in Paris, as the FIVB World Congress will also be in the spotlight. The long-serving Brazilian at the helm of the FIVB stated, "This year, we are excited to launch the FIVB Foundation, a project that is close to my heart and ready to build a better world through volleyball. 

This initiative will use the global reach and power of our sport to connect, serve, and inspire communities around the world and marks a significant step in our commitment to make a positive impact through volleyball.