Mark Nicolaidis from Toowong starts Olympics Beach Volleyball Campaign

Ex-Brisbane Boys College student, Mark Nicolaidis, kicks off his first Olympics campaign with partner Izac Carracher under the Eiffel Tower in Paris on 27 July.



Like many beach volleyballers, Mark initially focused on indoor volleyball, playing for the Queensland Pirates during four consecutive National Championships between 2016 and 2019. He also competed in the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina, finishing ninth.

When Mark partnered with Izac, the pairing won their first International Tournament together in 2022 and haven’t looked back since. That was only a year after Mark had graduated from QUT with a degree in Property Economics.

In the initial group stages, the pair will take on a Swedish pairing, Ahman and Hellvig at 11:00 p.m., Brisbane time, on Saturday, 27 July.

Their next match will be on Monday, 29 July at 5:00 p.m., Brisbane time, when they take on Cottafava and Nicolai. Their final group match will be against a Qatari pairing, Cherif and Ahmed, at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, 1 August.

“We don’t just want to go and participate in the Olympics – we want to go and go as deep as we can in the tournament. The first job’s done of getting there, and now we put all our preparation in to go as deep in that tournament as possible,” said Mark.

A dedicated Beach Volleyball channel on Stan Sports will allow you to watch every match live.



Brisbane Boys’ College Alumni to Make Olympic Debut in Beach Volleyball

Brisbane’s Mark Nicolaidis, a proud Brisbane Boys’ College alumnus, is set to make his Olympic debut at the Paris Games, marking a significant achievement for Australian beach volleyball.



Alongside teammate Izac Carracher, the pair will be the first Australian men’s duo to compete in beach volleyball at the Olympics since 2004.

Nicolaidis’s journey to the Olympics started at Brisbane Boys’ College, where he began playing indoor volleyball at 14. His natural talent and dedication led him to join the Queensland Pirates, a dominant force in the Australian Volleyball League, where he contributed to four championship titles.

A Winning Partnership

While excelling in indoor volleyball, Nicolaidis simultaneously explored beach volleyball, partnering with fellow Pirate James Takken to secure bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017 and compete in the Youth Olympic Games in 2018.

His beach volleyball career reached new heights in 2022 when he teamed up with Izac Carracher. Their partnership proved a winning formula, with the duo clinching gold in their first international tournament at the Gold Coast Beach Pro Tour Futures event. This victory paved the way for their participation in international competitions, including a notable ninth-place finish at the 2022 World Championships in Rome.

Nicolaidis attributes the team’s success to his strong bond with Carracher, both on and off the court. Their unwavering trust and support have proven to be a driving force, especially during challenging times.



A Dream Fulfilled

The 23-year-old Brisbane native acknowledges his and his family’s sacrifices to reach this level and expresses gratitude for their unwavering support.

Beyond volleyball, Nicolaidis holds a bachelor’s degree in property economics from the Queensland University of Technology and aspires to establish a career in real estate. His selection for the Paris Olympics fulfils a lifelong dream, and he eagerly anticipates representing Australia on the global stage. With his Olympic debut on the horizon, Mark Nicolaidis’s journey inspires aspiring athletes and is a testament to the power of dedication and teamwork.

Published Date 17-July-2024