Factbox on volleyball and beach volleyball

Beach volleyball, which emerged on the beaches of California in the 1920s, joined the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 as a two-a-side sport.

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by an American physical education teacher William Morgan who wanted to find an indoor game with minimal risk of injury. He initially called the game "Mintonette". The sport's popularity spread rapidly in the 20th century. World championships were held for the first time in 1949 and volleyball made its Olympic debut in Tokyo in 1964. Beach volleyball, which emerged on the beaches of California in the 1920s, joined the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 as a two-a-side sport.

Men's and women's tournaments are contested on an indoor court by teams of 12 players ? six on the court and six in reserve. Twelve men's and 12 women's teams will play in Beijing. Men's and women's beach volleyball has two players a side and is held on an outdoor, sandy court. The format of beach volleyball has been changed. The 24 teams of each gender will be drawn into six pools of four. Single elimination will be used from the round of 16.

Men: Brazil Women: China Beach volleyball: Men: Emanuel Rego/Ricardo Alex Santos (Brazil) Women: Misty May/Kerri Walsh (USA) VENUES Volleyball will be held at Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium, Capital Indoor Stadium Beach volleyball will take place at Chaoyang Park Beach

Aug. 21 ? women's beach volleyball Aug. 22 ? men's beach volleyball Aug. 23 ? women's volleyball Aug. 24 ? men's volleyball

Volleyball will be held at Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium, Capital Indoor Stadium. Beach volleyball will take place at Chaoyang Park Beach