Eiffel Tower Stadium Hosts Beach Volleyball Amid Paris Rain

PARIS — Despite relentless rain, the Eiffel Tower Stadium made a stunning debut as the venue for beach volleyball at the Paris 2024 Games. The temporary setup, while visually captivating, left spectators drenched as they gathered to witness the first matches on Saturday. The inclement weather did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd, which included many American fans donning their national colors. In the opening match of men’s Pool D, the youngest American duo in history, Miles Partain and Andy Benesh, faced a tough defeat against Cuba’s Nolsen Diaz and Jorde Alayo, losing in straight sets with both finishing narrowly at 21-18. However, the day saw a brighter outcome for the U.S. women’s team, as Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss triumphed over Canada’s Heather Bansley and Sophie Bukovec in their preliminary match. Other matches included Australia’s victory over China in women’s Pool B and Brazil’s win against Morocco in men’s Pool D. Many spectators, unfamiliar with the sport, were surprised that the games continued despite the downpour, with cheers erupting for every impressive play. “We didn’t really know what was going on with all the moves, but we joined in anyway,” said Garrett Gravesen, a spirited fan from Atlanta. Looking ahead, the weather is expected to improve, with beach volleyball matches scheduled daily until the men’s gold and bronze medal contests on August 10, promising a vibrant atmosphere against the iconic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower.