London 2012 Olympics: Beach Volleyball is most popular sport for ministers He said top sponsors could buy up to 13,500 tickets, but the Government had not taken up its full allocation, purchasing instead just 8,800 at a cost of £750,000. Around 3,300 will be used for dignitaries, 2,000 will be given to local authorities while more than 2,000 are expected to be sold to staff involved with the Games. Beach volleyball, which will be played at Horse Guards Parade, in the heart of Whitehall, became one of the fastest events to sell out at the Games. Many put the sport's popularity down to the athlete's regulation attire, which sees women wearing closely fitted tops and tiny briefs and men in vests and shorts. Smiles were raised at the Culture Media and Sport select committee when Mr Sutcliffe asked: "Can you explain why there seems to be a strong interest in beach volleyball among ministers and civil servants?" Mr Stephens responded: "When purchasing tickets for staff to purchase we thought they were most likely going to be able to go at the weekend or on Fridays." In the Beijing Olympics four years ago the Americans won the gold medal in both the men's and women's event.