In Tokyo, the American women swept the volleyball podiums, winning gold in indoor, beach and at the Paralympics. What does the Paris Olympics have in store?
The USA won its first indoor gold medal in 2021, marking its fourth consecutive podium finish. How it’ll fare this time is a bit more questionable. The Americans are ranked fifth in the world, the highest in their group which includes France, China and Serbia, but went 7-6 in this year’s Volleyball Nations League. It won’t be impossible for them to repeat as Olympic champions, but it’s an uphill battle.
Italy’s the current favorite, ranked No. 1 in the world after winning the VNL. Brazil and Turkiye are right behind, though. Despite international success over the past few years, the Turkish women have never medaled at the Olympics. This stands as their best year to do so. They’ll have to face Italy, the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic in what’s easily the most difficult pool in the tournament.
WATCH: 2024 Olympics women’s volleyball matches live on Fubo (free trial)
Brazil won’t have it easy either with No. 4 Poland, No. 7 Japan and No. 20 Kenya in its group. While Brazil has reached the final at three of the last four Games, winning in 2008 and 2012, its opponents would love nothing more than to…
