Former USC Men's Volleyball Star Tri Bourne Added To U.S. Olympic Beach Team In Tokyo

Former USC men's volleyball star Tri Bourne is a late addition to the U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Bourne becomes the 64th current, former or incoming Trojan competing in the Olympics, far more than any university and USC's most ever in a single Games. 

Bourne today (July 22) was added as a substitute partner for Jake Gibb.  Gibbs' regular partner, Taylor Crabb, tested positive for COVID-19 and had to withdraw from the Games.   

Bourne and Gibb, who have never played together before, will play their first Olympic match on July 25 against an Italian team.  Gibb, at 45 years old, is the oldest U.S. volleyball Olympian ever (indoor or beach) and is playing in his fourth Olympics. 

Bourne and his regular partner, Taylor's brother Trevor Crabb, just missed qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics after finishing as the third U.S. team in the Olympic qualifying standings (only two teams per country are chosen).   

"It's truly disappointing to hear that my dear friend will not be playing in the Tokyo Games," Bourne said. "Taylor is one of the world's best and he earned this Olympic spot. He texted me to tell me the news and genuinely wished me the best of luck. As you can see from the statement he released on his Instagram, he's a class act. I'm very honored to be filling in for him and what he represents:  his team, family friends and community back home. 

"That being said, I'm ready for this moment. I believe it to my core. Taylor always says, 'Stay ready so you don't have to get ready,' and that's just what I've done. Jake Gibb, let's ball!" 

Bourne helped USC to a pair of NCAA Final Four appearances, including a second place finish in 2009, and was an All-American third teamer as a 2011 senior outside hitter. 

After a brief pro indoor career, he started playing professionally on the beach in 2012.  He has seven first place finishes, including twice on the FIVB Tour and four times on the AVP Tour.  He was the 2013 AVP Newcomer of the Year and the 2014 FIVB Rookie of the Year, and in 2015 he and John Hyden were the AVP Team of the Year.