PARIS (Reuters) - Cheers from packed stands have echoed through Paris to the delight of competitors after the COVID-impacted Tokyo Games, but at least two beach volleyball Olympians might have preferred the sound of silence on Tuesday.
German duo Clemens Wickler and Nils Ehlers beat home hopes Remi Bassereau and Julien Lyneel 2-0 in their Pool C clash, despite not being able to hear one another over the party atmosphere at the Eiffel Tower venue.
"It's different to sit in the stands and hear the atmosphere and standing on the court and playing. It was so loud we couldn't even talk between the rallies, especially in the reception (of serve)," said Ehlers.
"Normally we would talk - who is taking the middle and some reminders - but sometimes the music and the fans were so loud that I had to really shout as loud as I could."
It was the kind of scene that Tokyo Olympians had dreamed of, after the global pandemic saw the COVID-delayed Games carry on in front of empty stands three years ago.
But it might have been too much of a good thing for Ehlers and Wickler, as they relied on their experience with one another to tune out the noise.
"Sometimes it is instinct, sometimes we just come closer. Especially in this situation where you are so nervous you can trust on all the repetition you've done in the past," he said.
Ehlers will likely face less crowd opposition when he continues his Paris campaign with Wickler on Thursday, as they play their second preliminary stage match against Australians Thomas Hodges and Zachery Schubert.
"He never listens to me, anyway," Ehlers told reporters. "But it's amazing to play here and lots of pressure falling off right now."
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in Paris; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
