As an emerging nation, Colombia are making their World Grand Prix debut at this year’s tournament, their first appearance in any FIVB competition. Most of their previous volleyball experience has come at continental level in the South American Championships. They have finished fourth in each of their last three appearances dating back to 2009 and were also fourth when they hosted the tournament in Bogota in 2003. Their best result in the competition came in 1991 when they won the bronze medal. It remains their first and only medal in any international competition.
Over the last three years Colombia have competed in the Pan American Cup with gradually improving results. They participated for the first time in 2012 and finished 11th, a year later they rose two places to ninth and, after defeating Costa Rica, Peru and Mexico, they ended in seventh place last season. They have only competed once at the Pan American Games and finished seventh back in 1971, above Haiti and Bahamas. Although their men’s team will compete at this year’s competition in Canada, the women’s team are not involved. At a lower level, they came third when they hosted the 2005 Bolivarian Games, defeating Ecuador in straight sets in the bronze medal match.