Next in a series of sport-specific articles previewing competition during the Paris Olympics.

Athletes to Watch

• Anders Mol and Christian Sørum, Norway: Mol had surgery in March to repair a broken bone in his left foot.

• Chase Budinger, United States: The 6-foot-7 former NBA player earned a berth with Miles Evans as the No. 2 U.S. men’s pair. Budinger was an McDonald’s All-American as a prep basketball player and shared MVP honors with Kevin Durant at the 2006 game played in his hometown of San Diego.

• Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, United States: The reigning world champions are hoping to keep alive a streak of U.S. medals on the women’s side. Cheng could be the only American with Olympic experience.

• Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, U.S.: Going to their first Olympics. Kloth is 6-foot-4 and Nuss is 5-6.

Storylines to Follow

• One of the Olympics’ most telegenic sports will bring its beach party vibe to the Champ de Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, in a park that once served as the training grounds for Napoleon Bonaparte.

“The beach volleyball venue is one of the most exciting of the Games at the foot of the iconic Eiffel Tower,” NBC Olympics Production vice president Rebecca Chatman said. “It’s a great example of how these Games are different and how the organizers are using the City of Light as one of the characters of the Games.”

• There is a passing of the torch among the super-successful American women, who have won four of the past five gold medals. Misty May-Treanor is retired, Kerri Walsh Jennings is 45, and Tokyo champions April Ross and Alix Klineman each took time off to start families. (May-Treanor, a three-time gold medalist, will serve as an analyst for NBCUniversal coverage.)

Key Dates

The preliminary rounds start July 27. The women’s gold medal will be awarded Aug. 9, followed the next night by the men’s.

Reigning Champions

Men: Anders Mol and Christian Sørum, Norway.

Women: Alix Klineman and April Ross, United States.