OLYMPICS 19 DAYS TO THE GAMES : U.S. Teams Get First-Round Byes

The top eight teams gained first-round byes in a draw held in Marseille, France for Olympic beach volleyball.

Roberto Costa Lopes and Franco Vieira Neto of Brazil are top-seeded in the event, followed by three American teams--Carl Henkel and Sinjin Smith, Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffens, and Mike Dodd and Mike Whitmarsh.

The competition will be a double-elimination tournament starting July 23 with 16 teams in the first round.