A spokesperson for the IHF confirmed the organisation had filed a formal request for the sport to feature at Paris 2024 as an additional discipline.

An eight-team tournament for men and women forms part of the proposal from the IHF, according to French newspaper L'Equipe.

Beach handball made its Olympic debut at the Summer Youth Games in Buenos Aires in 2018 and was also included on the programme for the inaugural Association of National Olympic Committees World Beach Games in Doha last year.

The IHF is hoping its proposal will be accepted as beach handball is considered more international than the indoor format.

Traditional handball at the Games has been dominated by Europe and teams from the continent have won every men's Olympic gold medal since it was added to the programme in 1972.

South Korea are the only non-European winners of the women's Olympic handball tournament, having triumphed in 1988 and 1992.

The IHF has held a Beach Handball World Championship for men and women every two years since 2004.

Four continents - South America, Africa, Europe and Asia - are represented on the top 10 of the all-time medals table in the men's event.

Other additional disciplines which could feature at Paris 2024 include coastal rowing and parkour.

A final decision on the Paris 2024 programme is set to be made by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board in December.