A soundtrack cheesier than a fondue was blaring from the sound system, while a DJ yelled messages of encouragement in English and Chinese, and graphics - ‘Great spike!’, ‘Excellent defence!’ – flashed up on the giant screens.
After a certain number of points there was a ‘technical timeout’, which involved straightening the court – marked out by tapes in the sand – and smoothing it over with rakes. It all seemed fabulously untechnical.
Cue a troop of bikini-clad cheerleaders who embarked on a dance routine which would have put Hot Gossip to shame. Two giant inflatable Fu-Wa (the Chinese mascots) bumbled on court and attempted to join in. Fu-Wa as a species are not built for sand - not having any toes is a bit of a problem - and they promptly fell over. Assisted, to their obvious delight, by the bikini ladies, they eventually stumbled off and play resumed. It was as surreal as an international sporting event gets.
Austria put up a valiant fight, but Brazil reigned victorious in the end. As for me, I was completely won over by my first Beach Volleyball match. With London’s Beach Volleyball competition set to take place in the stately surroundings of Horse Guards Parade – guaranteeing an equally memorable experience – it definitely won't be my last.
A Fu-Wa struts his stuff during 'technical timeout' at a beach volleyball match.
