Mariafe Artacho del Solar has always loved Paris.
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So what does she think about playing Olympic beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower?
"It's incredible, I mean look at her," Australia's Tokyo silver medallist said after getting sand between her toes at the venue on Monday.
"It's just stunning, so special to be playing here, such an iconic event ... it's one of my favourite cities and I just think the Eiffel Tower is so magical.
"But once I step over those green lines (that border the court), it's just like everything's a blur, white noise. I'll be in the zone."
Artacho del Solar and Tokyo partner Taliqua Clancy will be among the contenders again when competition begins on Saturday.
Australia will also field two men's teams for the first time since 2004, Izac Carracher and Mark Nicolaidis winning their spot barely a month ago to join the nation's No.1 pair Zachery Schubert and Thomas Hodges.
Hodges switched from indoor volleyball to form a high-energy partnership with Schubert, the fun-loving pair both overcoming long-term injuries to also be among the contenders for Paris gold in their Olympic debuts.
"I had double knee surgery after the last Games," Schubert, who farms crickets as part of a family side business, said.
"Hodgey's been a huge help during that process.
"It's you and your mate competing, for a year-and-a-half over the qualifying period.
"It's full on; you have to be good mates because you ride the highs and lows.
"So being here, in Paris, this is what we dreamed about."
Australian Associated Press
