Karch Kiraly
Karch Kiraly led the U.S. to two men’s volleyball gold medals, won a gold medal in beach volleyball and coached the U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team to a bronze medal at the Rio je Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.
Olympic volleyball was first introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1924 Games in Paris. The sport had been invented in the United States nearly 30 years prior, as a relaxed alternative to basketball. It wasn’t until 40 years after its initial introduction that volleyball was finally added to the Olympic program at the 1964 Games in Tokyo.
Russia has the most medals and the most gold medals in Olympic volleyball. Brazil has the most medals for beach volleyball, while the U.S. has the most gold medals. In women’s volleyball, the United States is the reigning champion after beating Brazil in the gold-medal match at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Volleyball was introduced as a demonstration sport for the Paralympic program at the Toronto 1976 Games and fully introduced in 1980.
The 1990s brought beach volleyball into the Olympic program, with its official introduction at the Atlanta 1996 Games. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings took home the gold three times, winning at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
Karch Kiraly led the U.S. to two men’s volleyball gold medals, won a gold medal in beach volleyball and coached the U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team to a bronze medal at the Rio je Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.
Misty May-Treanor was a college star at indoor volleyball, then successfully transitioned to one of the best beach volleyball careers of all-time, teaming with Kerri Walsh Jennings to win three Olympic gold medals and retiring with a then-record 112 wins.
Subscribe now to keep up to date on Museum news and events!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
Olympic Marks are used under license from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. 36 U.S.C. 220506
Website development supported in part by a grant from the Colorado Tourism Office.
