Sawt Falasteen - Beach volleyball starts in pouring rain at landmark Paris venue

After a rain-soaked opening ceremony the night before, the first day of sporting action was equally wet, and crowds at the purpose-built stadium huddled under umbrellas, hats and raincoats amid driving rain.

The water-logged park was supposed to be the standout venue of the Paris Games -– but the rain poured as the US and Cuba's men teams took to the sand for the opening match, with the Eiffel Tower behind looming into a grey sky.

While the skateboarding competition was postponed earlier Saturday due to the inclement weather, beach volleyball is rarely called off for rain, only for storms.

Athletes warmed up on practice courts in a mixture of tracksuits, shorts and the signature bikinis that the sport has become known for.

Outside the stadium, wooden walkways swayed under muddy puddles, and fans wearing their national flags covered up under an array of ponchos, berets and Paris 2024 baseball caps.

"It's horrible, but it's Paris," said Thibauld Fournes ruefully, visiting from northern France. "I don't think it will stop me having a good time."

Beach volleyball has grown to become one of the most popular events at the Olympics since its inclusion for the first time in 1996, and stadium stands were packed.

"I don't think the weather will ruin it at all -- it's a once in a lifetime experience," said Sonya Chiu, 44, from New York. "Even though it's raining, pouring, everyone is in good spirits."

- Ponchos and sun hats -

The bad weather also did not deter tourists lining up outside the venue to climb the "Iron Lady", while seats and stands were being dismantled along the river after Friday night's equally sodden opening ceremony.

"We bought suncream and sun hats -- haven't used them at all. But we spent five euros each on ponchos yesterday and they were great," said Sydney Swanson, 31, from Texas.

"Best five euros I've ever spent," agreed her husband, Axel.

Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh opened the competition against Cuba's Noslen Diaz Amaro and Jorge Luis Alayo Moliner on the sand from 2pm local time (1200 GMT).

The United States are the current Olympic women's champions -- but the men have not taken home gold since Beijing in 2008, and are hoping to reverse their fortunes in the French capital.

They will be followed by the youthful Swedish pairing of top-ranked David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig, taking on Australia.

The women's competition starts later Saturday in what promises to be a well-matched game between Asian champions, China's Xue Chen and Xia Xinyi, and Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy of Australia.

Twenty-four teams start in both the men's and women's events, before being whittled down to 16 for the knockout stages, with the finals taking place on August 9 and 10.

C.AbuSway--SF-PST