National team appearances in the women's Olympic water polo tournament

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This article presents the national team appearances in the women's Olympic water polo tournament since the inaugural official edition in 2000.

As of 2016, Thirteen women's national water polo teams from five continents have competed at the Summer Olympics. Four teams have won all five tournaments. The inaugural winners in 2000 were Australia; the current champions are United States. The most successful team is currently United States women's team, who has won the Olympic title on two occasions.[1][2][3]

Abbreviations[edit]

Apps Appearances Rk Rank Ref Reference
p. page pp. pages

Team statistics[edit]

Comprehensive team results by tournament[edit]

Note: Results of Olympic qualification tournaments are not included. Last updated: 12 February 2024.

Legend
  •  1st  – Champions
  •  2nd  – Runners-up
  •  3rd  – Third place
  •  4th  – Fourth place
  •  Q  – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
  •     – Hosts
Abbreviation
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Africa – CANA (1 team)
Women's team[1] 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Years
 South Africa 10th WD 1
Americas – UANA (3 teams)
Women's team[1] 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Years
 Brazil 8th 1
 Canada (stats) 5th 7th 7th Q 4
 United States (stats) 2nd 3rd 2nd 1st 1st 1st Q 7
Asia – AASF (3 teams)
Women's team[1] 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Years
 China (stats) 5th 5th 7th 8th Q 5
 Japan 9th 1
 Kazakhstan 6th 8th 2
Europe – LEN (9 teams)
Women's team[1] 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Years
 France Q 1
 Great Britain 8th 1
 Greece (stats) 2nd 8th Q 3
 Hungary (stats) 6th 4th 4th 4th 3rd Q 6
 Italy (stats) 1st 6th 7th 2nd Q 5
 Netherlands (stats) 4th 1st 6th Q 4
 ROC (stats) 4th 1
 Russia (stats) 3rd 5th 7th 6th 3rd 5
 Spain (stats) 2nd 5th 2nd Q 4
Oceania – OSA (1 team)
Women's team[1] 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Years
 Australia (stats) 1st 4th 3rd 3rd 6th 5th Q 7
Total teams 6 8 8 8 8 10 10

Debut of teams[edit]

Last updated: 7 January 2024.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
# Year[1] Debuting teams Number Cumulative total
Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania
1 2000 –  Canada,  United States  Kazakhstan  Netherlands,  Russia  Australia* 6 6
2 2004 – – –  Greece*,  Hungary,  Italy – 3 9
3 2008 – –  China* – – 1 10
4 2012 – – –  Great Britain*,  Spain – 2 12
5 2016 –  Brazil* – – – 1 13
6 2020  South Africa –  Japan* – – 2 15
7 2024 – – –  France* – 1 16
Total 1 3 3 8 1 16 16

Number of appearances by team[edit]

The following table is pre-sorted by number of appearances (in descending order), year of the last appearance (in ascending order), year of the first appearance (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation
  • Year* – As host team
  • Apps – Appearances
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Number of appearances by team
Rk Women's team[1] Apps Record
streak		 Active
streak		 Debut Most
recent		 Best finish Confederation
1  Australia (stats) 6 6 6 2000* 2020 Champions Oceania – OSA
 Russia (stats) 6 6 6 2000 2020 Third place Europe – LEN
 United States (stats) 6 6 6 2000 2020 Champions Americas – UANA
4  Hungary (stats) 5 5 5 2004 2020 Fourth place Europe – LEN
5  Italy (stats) 4 4 0 2004 2016 Champions Europe – LEN
 China (stats) 4 4 4 2008* 2020 Fifth place Asia – AASF
7  Canada (stats) 3 2 1 2000 2020 Fifth place Americas – UANA
 Netherlands (stats) 3 1 1 2000 2020 Champions Europe – LEN
 Spain (stats) 3 3 3 2012 2020 Runners-up Europe – LEN
10  Kazakhstan 2 2 0 2000 2004 Sixth place Asia – AASF
 Greece (stats) 2 2 0 2004* 2008 Runners-up Europe – LEN
12  Great Britain 1 1 0 2012* 2012* Eighth place Europe – LEN
 Brazil 1 1 1 2016* 2016* Eighth place Americas – UANA
 Japan 1 1 1 2020* 2020* Ninth place Asia – AASF
 South Africa 1 1 1 2020 2020 Tenth place Africa – CANA
Rk Women's team Apps Record
streak		 Active
streak		 Debut Most
recent		 Best finish Confederation

Results of host teams[edit]

Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation
  • Year* – As host team
  • Finish‡ – It is the best performance of the team
  • Apps – Appearances
# Year[1] Host team Finish Best finish Apps Confederation
1 2000  Australia 1st‡ of 6 teams Champions (2000*) 5 Oceania – OSA
2 2004  Greece 2nd‡ of 8 teams Runners-up (2004*) 2 Europe – LEN
3 2008  China 5th‡ of 8 teams Fifth place (2008*, 2012) 3 Asia – AASF
4 2012  Great Britain 8th‡ of 8 teams Eighth place (2012*) 1 Europe – LEN
5 2016  Brazil 8th‡ of 8 teams Eighth place (2016*) 1 Americas – UANA
6 2020  Japan 9th‡ of 10 teams Ninth place (2020*) 1 Asia – AASF

Results of defending champions and runners-up[edit]

Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
# Year[1] Defending champions Finish Defending runners-up Finish
1 2000
2 2004  Australia 4th of 8 teams  United States 3rd of 8 teams
3 2008  Italy 6th of 8 teams  Greece 8th of 8 teams
4 2012  Netherlands did not qualify  United States 1st of 8 teams
5 2016  United States 1st of 8 teams  Spain 5th of 8 teams
6 2020  United States 1st of 10 teams  Italy did not qualify

Best finishes by team[edit]

The following table is pre-sorted by best finish (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation
  • Year* – As host team
  • Apps – Appearances
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Best finishes by team
Rk Women's team[1] Best finish Apps Confederation
1  United States (stats) Champions (2002, 2006) 6 Americas – UANA
2  Australia (stats) Champions (2000*) 6 Oceania – OSA
 Italy (stats) Champions (2004) 4 Europe – LEN
 Netherlands (stats) Champions (2008) 3 Europe – LEN
5  Greece (stats) Runners-up (2004*) 2 Europe – LEN
 Spain (stats) Runners-up (2012) 3 Europe – LEN
7  Russia (stats) Third place (2000, 2016) 6 Europe – LEN
8  Hungary (stats) Fourth place (2008, 2012, 2016) 5 Europe – LEN
9  China (stats) Fifth place (2008*, 2012) 4 Asia – AASF
10  Canada (stats) Fifth place (2000) 3 Americas – UANA
11  Kazakhstan Sixth place (2000) 2 Asia – AASF
12  Brazil Eighth place (2016*) 1 Americas – UANA
 Great Britain Eighth place (2012*) 1 Europe – LEN
14  Japan Ninth place (2020*) 1 Asia – AASF
15  South Africa Tenth place (2020) 1 Africa – CANA
Rk Women's team Best finish Apps Confederation

Finishes in the top four[edit]

The following table is pre-sorted by total finishes in the top four (in descending order), number of Olympic gold medals (in descending order), number of Olympic silver medals (in descending order), number of Olympic bronze medals (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team
Rk Women's team[1] Total Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place First Last
1  United States 6 3 (2012, 2016, 2020) 2 (2000, 2008) 1 (2004) 2000 2020
2  Australia 4 1 (2000*) 2 (2008, 2012) 1 (2004) 2000 2012
3  Hungary 4 1 (2020) 3 (2008, 2012, 2016) 2008 2020
4  Italy 2 1 (2004) 1 (2016) 2004 2016
5  Netherlands 2 1 (2008) 1 (2000) 2000 2008
6  Spain 2 2 (2012, 2020) 2012 2020
7  Russia 2 2 (2000, 2016) 2000 2016
8  Greece 1 1 (2004*) 2004 2004
9  ROC 1 1 (2020) 2020 2020
Rk Women's team Total Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place First Last

Medal table[edit]

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic gold medals (in descending order), number of Olympic silver medals (in descending order), number of Olympic bronze medals (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

The United States is the most successful country in the women's Olympic water polo tournament, with three gold, two silver and one bronze.[1]

RankWomen's teamGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 United States (USA)3216
2 Italy (ITA)1102
3 Australia (AUS)1023
4 Netherlands (NED)1001
5 Spain (ESP)0202
6 Greece (GRE)0101
7 Russia (RUS)0022
8 Hungary (HUN)0011
Totals (8 entries)66618

Longest active appearance droughts[edit]

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic tournaments missed (in descending order), year of the last appearance (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Notes:

  • Does not include teams that have not yet made their first appearance at the Olympics or teams that no longer exist.
Legend
  • Year* – As host team
Longest active appearance droughts
Rk Women's team[1] Last appearance Olympics missed Best finish Confederation
1  Kazakhstan 2004 4 Sixth place Asia – AASF
2  Greece 2008 3 Runners-up Europe – LEN
3  Great Britain 2012* 2 Eighth place Europe – LEN
4  Brazil 2016* 1 Eighth place Americas – UANA
 Italy 2016 1 Champions Europe – LEN
6  Australia 2020 0 Champions Oceania – OSA
 Canada 2020 0 Fifth place Americas – UANA
 China 2020 0 Fifth place Asia – AASF
 Hungary 2020 0 Fourth place Europe – LEN
 Japan 2020* 0 Ninth place Asia – AASF
 Netherlands 2020 0 Champions Europe – LEN
 Russia 2020 0 Third place Europe – LEN
 South Africa 2020 0 Tenth place Africa – CANA
 Spain 2020 0 Runners-up Europe – LEN
 United States 2020 0 Champions Americas – UANA
Rk Women's team Last appearance Olympics missed Best finish Confederation

Longest appearance droughts overall[edit]

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic tournaments missed (in descending order), year of the previous appearance (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Notes:

  • Only includes droughts begun after a team's first appearance and until the team ceased to exist.
  • With the exception of 1916, 1940 and 1944, does not include droughts when the Olympic tournament was not held due to World War I and II.
Legend
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
Longest appearance droughts overall
Rk Women's team[1] Prev. appearance Next appearance Olympics missed Best finish Confederation
1  Kazakhstan 2004 active 4 Sixth place Asia – AASF
2  Canada 2004 2020 3 Fifth place Americas – UANA
 Greece 2008 active 3 Runners-up Europe – LEN
4  Netherlands 2008 2020 2 Champions Europe – LEN
 Great Britain 2012* active 2 Eighth place Europe – LEN
6  Brazil 2016* active 1 Eighth place Americas – UANA
 Italy 2016 active 1 Champions Europe – LEN
8  Australia 2020 active 0 Champions Oceania – OSA
 China 2020 active 0 Fifth place Asia – AASF
 Hungary 2020 active 0 Fourth place Europe – LEN
 Japan 2020* active 0 Ninth place Asia – AASF
 Russia 2020 active 0 Third place Europe – LEN
 South Africa 2020 active 0 Tenth place Africa – CANA
 Spain 2020 active 0 Runners-up Europe – LEN
 United States 2020 active 0 Champions Americas – UANA
Rk Women's team Prev. appearance Next appearance Olympics missed Best finish Confederation

Team records[edit]

Teams having equal quantities in the tables below are ordered by the tournament the quantity was attained in (the teams that attained the quantity first are listed first). If the quantity was attained by more than one team in the same tournament, these teams are ordered alphabetically. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team

Appearances[edit]

Most appearances
6, Australia, United States (have participated in every tournament).
Most appearances, never winning a title
5, Russia (has participated in every tournament).
Most appearances, never finishing in the top two
5, Russia (has participated in every tournament).
Most appearances, never winning a medal
4, China (2008*, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Most appearances, never finishing in the top four
4, China (2008*, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Fewest appearances
1, Great Britain (2012*), Brazil (2016*), Japan (2020*), ROC (2020), South Africa (2020).
Fewest appearances, winning a title
3, Netherlands (2008).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top two
2, Greece (2004*).
Fewest appearances, winning a medal
2, Greece (2004*).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top four
2, Greece (2004*).

Top four[edit]

Most titles won
3, United States (2012, 2016, 2020).
Most second-place finishes
2, United States (2000, 2008), Spain (2012, 2020).
Most third-place finishes
2, Australia (2008, 2012), Russia (2000, 2016).
Most fourth-place finishes
3, Hungary (2008, 2012, 2016).
Most finishes in the top two
5, United States (2000, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Most finishes in the top two, never winning a title
2, Spain (2012, 2020).
Most finishes in the top three
6, United States (has been medaled in every tournament).
Most finishes in the top three, never winning a title
2, Russia (2000, 2016), Spain (2012, 2020).
Most finishes in the top three, never finishing in the top two
2, Russia (2000, 2016).
Most finishes in the top four
6, United States (has finished in the top four in every tournament).
Most finishes in the top four, never winning a title
4, Hungary (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Most finishes in the top four, never finishing in the top two
4, Hungary (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Most finishes in the top four, never winning a medal
1, ROC (2020).
Fewest finishes in the top two, winning a title
1, Australia (2000*), Netherlands (2008).
Fewest finishes in the top three, winning a title
1, Netherlands (2008).
Fewest finishes in the top three, finishing in the top two
1, Greece (2004*), Netherlands (2008).
Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a title
2, Netherlands (2000, 2008), Italy (2004, 2016).
Fewest finishes in the top four, finishing in the top two
1, Greece (2004*).
Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a medal
1, Greece (2004*).

Consecutive[edit]

Most consecutive titles won
3, United States (2012–2016–2020).
Most consecutive second-place finishes
None.
Most consecutive third-place finishes
2, Australia (2008–2012).
Most consecutive fourth-place finishes
3, Hungary (2008–2012–2016).
Most consecutive finishes in the top two
4, United States (2008–2012–2016–2020).
Most consecutive finishes in the top three
6, United States (has been medaled in every tournament).
Most consecutive finishes in the top four
6, United States (has finished in the top four in every tournament).
Most consecutive appearances
6, Australia, United States (have participated in every tournament).
Biggest improvement in position in consecutive tournaments
Did not participate/qualify, then won the title, Italy (2000–2004), Netherlands (2004–2008).

Gaps[edit]

Longest gap between successive titles
None.
Longest gap between successive second-place finishes
9 years, Spain (2012, 2020).
Longest gap between successive third-place finishes
16 years, Russia (2000, 2016).
Longest gap between successive fourth-place finishes
None.
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top two
12 years, Italy (2004–2016).
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top three
16 years, Russia (2000–2016).
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top four
16 years, Russia (2000–2016).
Longest gap between successive appearances
17 years, Canada (2004–2020).

Debuting teams[edit]

Best finish by a debuting team
Champions, Australia (2000*), Italy (2004).
Worst finish by a debuting team
10th position (last position), South Africa (2020).

Host teams[edit]

Best finish by host team
Champions: Australia (2000*).
Worst finish by host team
9th position, Japan (2020*).
Best finish by last host team
4th position, Australia (2004).
Worst finish by last host team
Did not participate/qualify, Great Britain (2016), Brazil (2020).
Worst finish by last host team that participates in the tournament
8th position (last position), Greece (2008).
Had its best performance as hosts
Champions, Australia (2000*).
Runners-up, Greece (2004*).
5th position, China (2008*).
8th position, Great Britain (2012*), Brazil (2016*).
9th position, Japan (2020*).
Had its worst performance as hosts
8th position, Great Britain (2012*), Brazil (2016*).
9th position, Japan (2020*).

Defending champions[edit]

Best finish by defending champions
Champions, United States (2016, 2020).
Worst finish by defending champions
Did not participate/qualify, Netherlands (2012).
Worst finish by defending champions that participates in the next tournament
6th position, Italy (2008).

Defending runners-up[edit]

Best finish by defending runners-up
Champions, United States (2012).
Worst finish by defending runners-up
Did not participate/qualify, Italy (2020).
Worst finish by defending runners-up that participates in the next tournament
8th position (last position), Greece (2008).

Population[edit]

Most populous country, participant
China (2020), 1,411,099,000 (source)
Least populous country, participant
Hungary (2020), 9,750,000 (source)
Most populous country, hosts
China (2008*), 1,324,655,000 (source)
Least populous country, hosts
Greece (2004*), 10,955,000 (source)
Most populous country, champions
United States (2020), 331,449,000 (source)
Least populous country, champions
Netherlands (2008), 16,446,000 (source)
Most populous country, runners-up
United States (2008), 304,375,000 (source)
Least populous country, runners-up
Greece (2004*), 10,955,000 (source)
Most populous country, third place
United States (2004), 293,046,000 (source)
Least populous country, third place
Hungary (2020), 9,750,000 (source)
Most populous country, fourth place
Australia (2004), 19,895,000 (source)
Least populous country, fourth place
Hungary (2016), 9,830,485 (source)

Confederation statistics[edit]

Number of teams by confederation[edit]

This is a summary of the total number of participating teams by confederation in each tournament. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend
  •   – Forthcoming tournament
Confederation 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Africa – CANA — — — — — 1
Americas – UANA 2 2 1 1 2 2
Asia – AASF 1 1 1 1 1 2
Europe – LEN 2 4 5 5 4 4
Oceania – OSA 1 1 1 1 1 1
Total teams 6 8 8 8 8 10

Best performances by tournament[edit]

This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation in each tournament.[1] Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend
  •  1st  – Champions
  •  2nd  – Runners-up
  •  3rd  – Third place
  •  4th  – Fourth place
  •  Q  – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
Confederation 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Africa – CANA — — — — — 10th
Americas – UANA 2nd 3rd 2nd 1st 1st 1st
Asia – AASF 6th 8th 5th 5th 7th 8th
Europe – LEN 3rd 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd
Oceania – OSA 1st 4th 3rd 3rd 6th 5th
Total teams 6 8 8 8 8 10

All-time best performances[edit]

This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation at the Olympics.[1] Last updated: 15 January 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team
Confederation Best performance Women's team
Africa – CANA — —
Americas – UANA 1st  United States (2012, 2016)
Asia – AASF 5th  China (2008*, 2012)
Europe – LEN 1st  Italy (2004),  Netherlands (2008)
Oceania – OSA 1st  Australia (2000*)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "HistoFINA – Water polo medalists and statistics" (PDF). fina.org. FINA. September 2019. p. 56. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Water polo women - Olympic Water Polo". olympic.org. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Water Polo — Water Polo, Women". olympedia.org. Olympedia. Retrieved 15 January 2021.

Sources[edit]

Official Results Books (IOC)[edit]

PDF documents in the LA84 Foundation Digital Library:

PDF documents on the FINA website:

PDF documents in the Olympic World Library:

PDF documents on the International Olympic Committee website:

Official Reports (FINA)[edit]

PDF documents on the FINA website:

Official website (IOC)[edit]

Water polo on the International Olympic Committee website:

Olympedia[edit]

Water polo on the Olympedia website:

Sports Reference[edit]

Water polo on the Sports Reference website:

Todor66[edit]

Water polo on the Todor66 website:

External links[edit]

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