From Family Legacy to Olympic Dreams in Beach Volleyball
Marco Grimalt joined us on MN2S Spotlight for a special interview conducted in Spanish ahead of the Paris Olympics. In this episode, Marco, a renowned Chilean beach volleyball player, took time out from training for his coming participation in the Olympics and shares his journey from a family deeply rooted in volleyball to competing on the world stage with his cousin Esteban.
Marco first gained recognition as a key figure in Chilean beach volleyball through his impressive performances alongside his cousin Esteban. In this exclusive MN2S interview, Marco discusses their transition from indoor volleyball to beach volleyball, driven by their family’s legacy and the aspiration to achieve Olympic success.
“My motivation for volleyball began at a very young age. My family is known for being very involved in sports, especially volleyball. My father and his six siblings all played at some point in their lives, many even representing Chile at the national level.”
Initially, Marco and Esteban played indoor volleyball, but they found their calling on the sandy courts of beach volleyball.
“In Chile, beach volleyball was mainly played in the summer. We participated in indoor volleyball throughout the year and switched to beach volleyball in the summer,”
Marco explains. Their talent quickly became evident, and by the age of 18, they were among the top three beach volleyball pairs in Chile. A pivotal moment came when they had to choose between indoor and beach volleyball. Encouraged by family, teammates, and coaches, they opted for the latter. Reflecting on their Olympic journey, Marco says,
“We fulfilled our dream of participating in the Olympics, but we were also very anxious and felt a lot of pressure.”
The experience at the Rio Olympics fueled their determination to perform even better at the Tokyo Olympics, where they achieved a ninth-place finish. Financial struggles have been a part of their journey. Initially, they relied almost entirely on family support and had to sell raffle tickets and various products to finance their tournaments. However, their growing success attracted more sponsorship and brand-partnerships.
“Today, we have tremendous support from brands and the Olympic Plan, which allows us to professionalize our sport and project ourselves further.”
Marco believes their familial bond provides a competitive edge thanks to strong communication. Despite occasional on-court disagreements, their close relationship ensures they support each other both on and off the court. Beyond aiming for an Olympic medal and world championship, Marco and Esteban are committed to paving the way for future generations.
“We want to be seen as role models and show that it’s possible to make a living through sport”
Their goal is to leave a lasting legacy that inspires others to pursue their passions. Listen to the full episode in Spanish here, to learn more about the Grimalt cousins’ incredible journey and their aspirations for the future.