Havana, Apr 4 (RHC) Cuba will have a tough start on the road to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after announcing the groups for the men's volleyball qualifying tournament, scheduled to be held in Brazil from September 30 to October 8.

The draw determined that the team from the Caribbean nation, 12th in the world ranking (WR), will share bracket A with Italy, the world champion in Poland-Slovenia 2022 and second in the ranking, and the host team, bronze in the world championship and fourth in the WR.

The other five teams that will join the Italians, Brazilians, and Cubans will be Iran, ranked 10th in the World Ranking, Ukraine (16th), Germany (17th), Czech Republic (22nd), and Qatar (25th).

The International Federation also indicated that the top two finishers in the three pools - A, B, and C - will earn the six tickets in contention for the event in the French capital, from July 26 to August 12, 2024.

France, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion, has already secured its place as host nation, so the 12 competitors will be completed according to their place in the World Ranking after the end of the 2024 Nations League qualifying phase, with priority being given to the team from a continent that has not reached the quota.

A look at the historical medal tally shows Russia at the top, with six gold, three silver, and three bronze medals, followed by Italy (4-1-0), Brazil (3-3-1), Poland (3-2-1), and reigning world silver medalist Czech Republic (2-4-0), the United States (1-0-2) and Germany (1-0-1), the seven countries with titles in the 20 editions held, and then Cuba (0-2-2). (Source: ACN)