The spectacular setting makes Eiffel Tower Stadium one of the OS's major attractions.
From here, world stars Jonatan Hellvig and David Åhman will try to spread the beach volleyball fever to Sweden.
It's the coolest arena we've ever played on, says David Åhman.
The duo is one of Sweden's major medal hopes during the OS in Paris. They are world stars and have dominated the world tour all spring.
Despite being OS debutants, they are quick to downplay their expectations.
It's pretty crazy that we're number one in the world rankings, when the OS qualification started, our goal was just to get here. It was tough enough, but to get here as world number one was nothing we had expected, says Åhman.
All teams here are incredibly good, and it's going to be tough matches. If we manage to take a medal, it would be super cool and super awesome, says Hellvig.
Like two lighthouses, they navigate between the many interview microphones on Sweden Arena's inner courtyard, the location just north of the Paris city center where the official Swedish press conferences are held during the OS.
But at just over 190 cm each, they are relatively short.
Unique playing style
The fact that most opponents reach higher from the ground plays a minor role. With their patented and widely written-about playing style – "Swedish jump set" – they have revolutionized beach volleyball and taken a step up as one of the gold favorites.
It's actually about fooling the opponents and trying to get their blockers to move and not really know if it's me or Jonatan who's going to attack. So we hit already on the second touch, or we pass in the air to our partner, explains Åhman.
They have chosen a sport with limited spread in Sweden. Out in the world, it's something else, as shown not least by the placement of the beach volleyball arena in Paris.
It's a fantastic place right in front of the Eiffel Tower, you couldn't have wished for anything better. It's a bit surreal that we're playing right there, actually, says Jonatan Hellvig.
Beach volleyball gained official OS status only in 1996, but the Olympic host cities have realized the sport's drawing power. In London 2012, the beach volleyball arena was placed on Horse Guards Parade next to Buckingham Palace, and in Rio four years later, the tournament was held right on Copacabana.
Meets Australia
Paris wants to be no worse.
In the middle of the Mars Field, the long park stretching out below the Eiffel Tower, they have set up the Eiffel Tower Stadium, where 11,800 spectators can follow the matches with one of the world's most iconic buildings as a backdrop.
It's really the coolest arena we've ever played on. As soon as they announced it would be there, we said "We have to get there and play on that arena", says David Åhman.
Åhman/Hellvig start the OS tournament on Saturday at 15:00, against Australia's Mark Nicolaidis and Izac Carracher.
Group stage (pool A)
Saturday, July 27: David Åhman/Jonatan Hellvig–Mark Nicolaidis/Izac Carracher, Australia (15:00).
Monday, July 29: Åhman/Hellvig–Cherif Younousse/Ahmed Tijan, Qatar (20:00).
Thursday, August 1: Åhman/Hellvig–Samuele Cottafava/Paolo Nicolai, Italy (17:00).
The two best teams in the six groups (pool A–F) advance to the round of 16, along with the two best group thirds. The remaining four group thirds qualify for the last two round of 16 spots. All matches are played at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Round of 16: August 4–5.
Quarterfinals: August 6–7.
Semifinals: Thursday, August 8.
Final and bronze match, Saturday, August 10
