FACTBOX: Volleyball and beach volleyball

Factbox on beach volleyball and volleyball at the August 8-24 Beijing Olympics:

HISTORY

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.

EVENTS

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.

2004 CHAMPIONS

Men: Brazil

Women: China

Beach volleyball:

Men: Emanuel Rego/Ricardo Alex Santos (Brazil)

Women: Misty May/Kerri Walsh (U.S.)

OLYMPIC PROGRAMME (FINALS ONLY)