9 August 2011Last updated at 15:16

In pictures: Beach volleyball comes to London

Beach volleyball was officially welcomed to its 2012 home in Horse Guards Parade in central London as the Olympic test event got under way.

The arena holds 1,500 spectators but in 2012 there will be a capacity of 15,000.

The event, in which 24 teams will compete on the temporary courts, went ahead despite rioting and violence around the capital the previous night.

The line-up includes teams from the USA, China, Brazil and others.

Sell-out crowds are expected for each of the 54 matches over six days of competition.

Hand signals are used by the teams to communicate what type of play they should make.

The court, which measures 16 x 8 metres, saw the USA defeat China 2-0.

During construction of the arena 120 trucks delivered 2274 tons of high quality Redhill 28 sand.

The sand will be reused by Volleyball England, the national governing body, at their training venues around the UK.

Two teams from Great Britain have also entered the competition, hoping to perform well on home turf, and they will play on Tuesday evening.

The 50 matches will continue until the final on 14 August 2011. (Photographs by Phil Coomes)

In Pictures