The 2024Â Olympics in Paris, France, will feature handball competitions from July 25 to August 11, 2024. The South Paris Arena 6 will host the initial pool matches, while Lille's Pierre Mauroy Stadium will host the championship round. Twelve teams in two groups compete in a round-robin, and the top eight teams advance to the knockout stages, which begin with the quarterfinals and conclude with the final and bronze match.
This structure has been in place for the men's competition since 2000 and the women's competition since 2008. Thursday, July 25, marks the start of the women's competition. France, the current Olympic and world champions, will play Hungary, and there will be some crucial matches between Norway and Sweden where mistakes cannot be made.
Handball Olympics History
In the Summer Olympics, handball refers to two separate sports. Men's field handball was first played during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin but ended shortly later. Field handball was a competition sport in the 1952 Olympics.
At the 64th IOC Session in October 1965, held in Madrid, it concluded that 21 new sports would be added to the schedule for the 1972 Games of the XX Olympiad in Munich. One item on this updated list was handball. Men's indoor handball was first introduced during the Munich Summer Olympics in 1972.
In 1972, during the 73rd IOC Session, which took place in August and September in Munich, it was decided to add a women's competition to the 1976 Games of the XXI Olympiad in Montreal.
Handball Olympics Rules
The latest version is played between two teams of 7 players each on an indoor court 40 meters by 20 meters. Without dribbling, players are allowed to take up to three steps and keep the ball for a total of three seconds.
After two 30-minute portions, the side with the most goals wins. There are twelve teams that compete in the Olympic Games' women's and men's competitions.
Handball is a physically demanding activity since it is an athletic event in which both attackers and defenders are allowed to make body contact with an opponent. Since passive play is against the law, offensive strategies are really encouraged.
Players must consequently possess power and endurance, but as everyone in the sport alternates between attack and defence, strategy, collaboration, and flexibility are also required.
Handball Olympics Qualification
During the Paris Games, the men's and women's handball teams representing the host nation, France, will automatically qualify. All other teams obtain qualification by competing in Olympic Qualification Tournaments, Continental Championships, and World Championships.
Teams guaranteed a spot in the Games are those that win gold at the World Championships. Four teams, one for each gender, will advance to the Olympics through the Continental Championships by winning their particular competitions.
Following that, teams have one more opportunity to secure their trip to Paris by winning the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, which give six teams a qualifying spot for each gender. There are three competitions for men and three for women in the Olympic Qualification Tournaments.