It was held at the Peace and Friendship Stadium located at the Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex between 14 and 28 August 2004.

[1] The medals for the competition were presented by Henri Sérandour, France; Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, Hong Kong; and Els van Breda Vriesman, Netherlands; IOC Members, and the medalists' bouquets were presented by Jizhong Wei, People's Republic of China; FIVB 1st Vice-President, Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, Dominican Republic; FIVB Vice President, and Aleksandar Boričić, Serbia and Montenegro; FIVB Board-Administration Member.

* Dominican Republic is associated at the NORCECA (North America and Caribbean), but entered the South American Qualification as only three South American countries competed at the continental qualification.

The country won a wildcard after win the gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games.

In the Preliminary round (first stage), the twelve participants were divided into two pools of six teams.