From 27 to 29 July, the ‘IHF Beach Handball Showcase’ will take place on the fringes of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Three men’s and three women’s All-star Teams, plus the French men’s and women’s national teams will play Beach Handball games across three days coached by six world-renowned, medal-laden coaches.

In total, 64 (32 men, 32 women) of the world’s best Beach Handball players from 18 countries will feature, including players from Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Islamic Republic of Iran, Netherlands, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, United States of America and Uruguay.

IHF.info speaks to some of those involved in the global spectacular in this special series of features in the lead-up to what is sure to be a spectacular event.

This time, we ask the players: what are your hopes for the future of Beach Handball and the Olympic Games?

Severin Henrich (GER)

“I hope that it keeps on growing the way it does right now so more and more people know this great sport. The dream is, of course, for Beach Handball to become an Olympic discipline.”

Mohamed Zaky (QAT)

“I wish to participate one day in the Olympic Games as I spent half of my life playing as a professional Beach Handball player, but now I believe that I’ve spent a great role to push this game all the way and eventually see the young players participating in the Olympic Games in my beloved sport.”

Bruno Carlos de Oliveira (BRA)

“I am completely sure that Beach Handball will be a very successful Olympic sport, just as we are already successful in the Youth Olympic Games.”

Nathalie Sena (BRA)

“I've dreamed of Beach Handball at the Olympics since I wore the Brazilian national team shirt for the first time in 2009. I dream of this possibility and today my dream is getting closer and closer to realisation. I see incredible people fighting for our sport. Its evolution and global recognition are evident.”

Lucian Bura (CRO)

“My hopes are really high. I hope that one day I will have a chance to participate in the Olympic Games, or at least enjoy watching the games of the Olympic Games, thinking I am a small part of this beautiful sport.”

Łukasz Niedzielak (POL)

“I have high hopes for the future of Beach Handball. It is a spectacular sport that is gaining popularity worldwide. I believe it has a bright future ahead and I am excited to see it grow. As for the Olympic Games, I hope that Beach Handball will eventually become a part of this prestigious event, providing more opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills on a global stage.”

Martin Vilstrup Andersen (DEN)

“I was also a part of the exhibition match in Lausanne in 2015, and having that in mind and us being here now makes me hope that one day the sport will a part of the Olympic Games Programme. It would be well-deserved and something the spectators would love to see.”

Meike Kruijer (NED)

“I hope Beach Handball becomes an Olympic sport and, hopefully, I could experience it as a player of the Dutch national team. I'm looking forward to demonstrate the different aspects of Beach Handbal during the showcase in Paris to show the world this amazing sport.”

Line Gyldenløve (DEN)

“That Beach Handball will be on the final Olympic programme.”

Ivan Dumencic (CRO)

“I really do hope Beach Handball will be part of the Olympics as soon as possible. The sport that is so attractive needs to have his spot there. Quickness, the speed of actions, frequently changing results, these are all key elements that today's audience wants and Beach Handball provides that.”

Cristiana Morgado (POR)

“I hope we take this great opportunity to show how this sport is so athletic, intense and fun for the players and also the supporters. I think it is a great sport and I would love that in the future it will part of the Olympic Games.”

Renata Santiago (BRA)

“My dream is to see professional Beach Handball, in which athletes can make a living from this and for this. May it truly become an Olympic sport.”

Attila Kun (HUN)

“Since I have been playing Beach Handball, my dream – along with many other players – is that the sport becomes part of the Olympic Games. I hope in Paris we can demonstrate how eye-catching and entertaining the game is and that it brings lot of joy not just for the players, but for the spectators too.”

Santy Rodriguez (URU)

“Getting to the Olympic Games would be something incredible and living the experience becomes unimaginable. It is also important to be part of this showcase so that our sport fights to join the Olympic Games calendar.”

Thiago de Oliveira Barcellos (BRA)

“My hope is that our sport becomes more and more popular and that athletes can see a future through it, and this involves precisely the Olympic project. This is what millions of lovers are waiting and dreaming of.”

Emese Tóth (HUN)

“I hope that this showcase event will be successful in raising awareness of our wonderful and exciting sport. The current players and future generations deserve to have the opportunity to show their skills at an Olympic Games.”

Patricia Encinas Guardado (ESP)

“I want Beach Handball to be Olympic, and this showcase is another step to be able to be closer. It is an attractive sport in which, without a doubt, people like it. It is something different and very spectacular.”

Laszlo Nahaj (HUN)

“I hope it will be included in the sports programme at a future Olympic Games. This sport deserves to be among the Olympic sports. It can be very enjoyable for viewers, for example, the shoot-out.”

Péter Hadju (HUN)

“I hope Beach Handball becomes an Olympic sport. It has a chance because of its spectacularity. I hope the fans in Paris will enjoy this event and it supports Beach Handball in becoming an Olympic sport.”

Diogo Fereira (POR)

“My hope for Beach Handball is that it keeps increasing and improving in the same exponential curve that it has been. The professionalisation of the sport is necessary to enable players to keep pursuing their passion in a more sustainable way. And, of course, the integration of the sport in the Olympic Games is a dream and a fantastic step towards a good direction for the sport overall.”

Moritz Ebert (GER)

“I hope that the IHF Beach Handball Showcase in Paris at the Olympic Games is just the go-ahead. The sport deserves to be part of the Olympic Games and the spectacular and Fair Play-based style fits very well with the values of the Olympic Games.”

Nahuel Perez (ARG)

“I hope this sport can grow and arrives to the Olympic Games as a competition sport.”

Rianne Mol (NED)

“Obviously, Beach Handball should become an Olympic sport as soon as possible.”

The IHF Beach Handball Showcase is a collaborative effort between the IHF, Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP2024), French Handball Federation (FFHB) and International Olympic Committee (IOC).