SITTING VOLLEYBALL - PARIS 2024

Sitting volleyball is a variation of the standing version of the sport. It is played by two teams of six players who slide around the court using the power of their arms to remain in the sitting position. The court dimensions in sitting volleyball are smaller and the net is lower than in Olympic volleyball, making sitting volleyball a fast-paced, intense sport. 

Sitting volleyball was devised since 1943 as a rehabilitation activity for injured soldiers. It became an official sport for men at the 1980 Paralympic Games, but it wasn’t for a further 24 years before the women’s game was added to programme at Athens 2004. Athletes must be able to move around easily and safely in a seated position. 

Brief overview of the rules 

The sport is played using a standard volleyball, on a smaller court (6m x 10m) and a lower net (1.15m for men, 1.05m for women). Matches follow a best-of-five set format, with the winning team the first to reach 25 points, or 15 in the fifth set. Athletes’ buttocks or back must maintain contact with the floor, especially when playing the ball.  

Eligible impairments 

Orthopaedic impairment, hemiplegia, cerebral palsy, degenerative neurological disorders. 

Events in 2024

• Women’s 8-team tournament

• Men’s 8 team tournament

Venue in 2024 - Roland-Garros Stadium

The road to Paris 2024

The process to decide the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games sport programme started in November 2017. Originally eight new sports and three sport disciplines applied for inclusion in the Games.

Between February 2018 and July 2018, the six new and 22 existing Paralympic sports completed and submitted a comprehensive application pack This allowed the IPC to measure the strength and potential of each sport. The pack featured a series of questions regarding each sport’s governance, rules and regulations, anti-doping programme compliance and activities, worldwide reach and quadrennial competition programme. Classification Code compliance was also assessed, and the IPC considered the costs and complexity of operations on the Paris 2024 Organising Committee.

The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy, in 1960 with just eight sports included. The Rio 2016 Paralympics featured 22 sports with Para canoe and Para triathlon both making their debut. At Tokyo 2020, Para badminton and Para taekwondo are included for the first time as part of a 22-strong sports programme.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place between 28 August and 8 September.