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

Last updated

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

Contents

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

AppsAppearancesRkRankRefReference
p.pagepp.pages

Team statistics

Comprehensive team results by tournament

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

Legend
Abbreviation
Africa – CANA (1 team)
Women's team [1] 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Years
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 10thWD1
Americas – UANA (3 teams)
Women's team [1] 2000200420082012201620202024Years
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 8th1
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada (stats)5th7th7thQ4
Flag of the United States.svg  United States (stats)2nd3rd2nd1st1st1stQ7
Asia – AASF (3 teams)
Women's team [1] 2000200420082012201620202024Years
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (stats)5th5th7th8thQ5
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 9th1
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 6th8th2
Europe – LEN (9 teams)
Women's team [1] 2000200420082012201620202024Years
Flag of France.svg  France Q1
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 8th1
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece (stats)2nd8thQ3
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary (stats)6th4th4th4th3rdQ6
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy (stats)1st6th7th2ndQ5
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands (stats)4th1st6thQ4
Russian Olympic Committee flag.png  ROC (stats)4th1
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia (stats)3rd5th7th6th3rd5
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain (stats)2nd5th2ndQ4
Oceania – OSA (1 team)
Women's team [1] 2000200420082012201620202024Years
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (stats)1st4th3rd3rd6th5thQ7
Total teams688881010

Debut of teams

Last updated: 7 January 2024.

Legend
#Year [1] Debuting teamsNumberCumulative total
AfricaAmericasAsiaEuropeOceania
1 2000 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada , Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands , Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia *66
2 2004 Flag of Greece.svg  Greece *, Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary , Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 39
3 2008 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China *110
4 2012 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain *, Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 212
5 2016 Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil *113
6 2020 Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Flag of Japan.svg  Japan *215
7 2024 Flag of France.svg  France *116
Total133811616

Number of appearances by team

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
Number of appearances by team
RkWomen's team [1] AppsRecord
streak
Active
streak
DebutMost
recent
Best finishConfederation
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (stats)6662000*2020ChampionsOceania – OSA
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia (stats)66620002020Third placeEurope – LEN
Flag of the United States.svg  United States (stats)66620002020ChampionsAmericas – UANA
4Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary (stats)55520042020Fourth placeEurope – LEN
5Flag of Italy.svg  Italy (stats)44020042016ChampionsEurope – LEN
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (stats)4442008*2020Fifth placeAsia – AASF
7Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada (stats)32120002020Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands (stats)31120002020ChampionsEurope – LEN
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain (stats)33320122020Runners-upEurope – LEN
10Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 22020002004Sixth placeAsia – AASF
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece (stats)2202004*2008Runners-upEurope – LEN
12Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 1102012*2012*Eighth placeEurope – LEN
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 1112016*2016*Eighth placeAmericas – UANA
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 1112020*2020*Ninth placeAsia – AASF
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 11120202020Tenth placeAfrica – CANA
RkWomen's teamAppsRecord
streak
Active
streak
DebutMost
recent
Best finishConfederation

Results of host teams

Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation
#Year [1] Host teamFinishBest finishAppsConfederation
1 2000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1st of 6 teamsChampions (2000*)5Oceania – OSA
2 2004 Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 2nd of 8 teamsRunners-up (2004*)2Europe – LEN
3 2008 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 5th of 8 teamsFifth place (2008*, 2012)3Asia – AASF
4 2012 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 8th of 8 teamsEighth place (2012*)1Europe – LEN
5 2016 Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 8th of 8 teamsEighth place (2016*)1Americas – UANA
6 2020 Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 9th of 10 teamsNinth place (2020*)1Asia – AASF

Results of defending champions and runners-up

Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend
#Year [1] Defending championsFinishDefending runners-upFinish
1 2000
2 2004 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 4th of 8 teamsFlag of the United States.svg  United States 3rd of 8 teams
3 2008 Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 6th of 8 teamsFlag of Greece.svg  Greece 8th of 8 teams
4 2012 Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands did not qualifyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 1st of 8 teams
5 2016 Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1st of 8 teamsFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 5th of 8 teams
6 2020 Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1st of 10 teamsFlag of Italy.svg  Italy did not qualify

Best finishes by team

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
Best finishes by team
RkWomen's team [1] Best finishAppsConfederation
1Flag of the United States.svg  United States (stats)Champions (2002, 2006)6Americas – UANA
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (stats)Champions (2000*)6Oceania – OSA
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy (stats)Champions (2004)4Europe – LEN
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands (stats)Champions (2008)3Europe – LEN
5Flag of Greece.svg  Greece (stats)Runners-up (2004*)2Europe – LEN
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain (stats)Runners-up (2012)3Europe – LEN
7Flag of Russia.svg  Russia (stats)Third place (2000, 2016)6Europe – LEN
8Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary (stats)Fourth place (2008, 2012, 2016)5Europe – LEN
9Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (stats)Fifth place (2008*, 2012)4Asia – AASF
10Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada (stats)Fifth place (2000)3Americas – UANA
11Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan Sixth place (2000)2Asia – AASF
12Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Eighth place (2016*)1Americas – UANA
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain Eighth place (2012*)1Europe – LEN
14Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Ninth place (2020*)1Asia – AASF
15Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Tenth place (2020)1Africa – CANA
RkWomen's teamBest finishAppsConfederation

Finishes in the top four

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
RkWomen's team [1] TotalChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeFirstLast
1Flag of the United States.svg  United States 63 (2012, 2016, 2020)2 (2000, 2008)1 (2004)20002020
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 41 (2000*)2 (2008, 2012)1 (2004)20002012
3Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 41 (2020)3 (2008, 2012, 2016)20082020
4Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 21 (2004)1 (2016)20042016
5Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 21 (2008)1 (2000)20002008
6Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 22 (2012, 2020)20122020
7Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 22 (2000, 2016)20002016
8Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 11 (2004*)20042004
9Russian Olympic Committee flag.png  ROC 11 (2020)20202020
RkWomen's teamTotalChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeFirstLast

Medal table

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
1Flag of the United States.svg  United States  (USA)3216
2Flag of Italy.svg  Italy  (ITA)1102
3Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia  (AUS)1023
4Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands  (NED)1001
5Flag of Spain.svg  Spain  (ESP)0202
6Flag of Greece.svg  Greece  (GRE)0101
7Flag of Russia.svg  Russia  (RUS)0022
8Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary  (HUN)0011
Totals (8 entries)66618

Longest active appearance droughts

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:

Legend
Longest active appearance droughts
RkWomen's team [1] Last appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation
1Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 20044Sixth placeAsia – AASF
2Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 20083Runners-upEurope – LEN
3Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 2012*2Eighth placeEurope – LEN
4Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2016*1Eighth placeAmericas – UANA
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 20161ChampionsEurope – LEN
6Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 20200ChampionsOceania – OSA
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 20200Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 20200Fifth placeAsia – AASF
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 20200Fourth placeEurope – LEN
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2020*0Ninth placeAsia – AASF
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 20200ChampionsEurope – LEN
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 20200Third placeEurope – LEN
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 20200Tenth placeAfrica – CANA
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 20200Runners-upEurope – LEN
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 20200ChampionsAmericas – UANA
RkWomen's teamLast appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation

Longest appearance droughts overall

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:

Legend
Longest appearance droughts overall
RkWomen's team [1] Prev. appearanceNext appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation
1Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 2004active4Sixth placeAsia – AASF
2Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 200420203Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 2008active3Runners-upEurope – LEN
4Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 200820202ChampionsEurope – LEN
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 2012*active2Eighth placeEurope – LEN
6Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2016*active1Eighth placeAmericas – UANA
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2016active1ChampionsEurope – LEN
8Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 2020active0ChampionsOceania – OSA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 2020active0Fifth placeAsia – AASF
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 2020active0Fourth placeEurope – LEN
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2020*active0Ninth placeAsia – AASF
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2020active0Third placeEurope – LEN
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 2020active0Tenth placeAfrica – CANA
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2020active0Runners-upEurope – LEN
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2020active0ChampionsAmericas – UANA
RkWomen's teamPrev. appearanceNext appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation

Team records

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

Appearances

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Number of teams by confederation

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

Legend
Confederation 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Africa – CANA 1
Americas – UANA 221122
Asia – AASF 111112
Europe – LEN 245544
Oceania – OSA 111111
Total teams6888810

Best performances by tournament

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

Legend
Confederation 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Africa – CANA 10th
Americas – UANA 2nd3rd2nd1st1st1st
Asia – AASF 6th8th5th5th7th8th
Europe – LEN 3rd1st1st2nd2nd2nd
Oceania – OSA 1st4th3rd3rd6th5th
Total teams6888810

All-time best performances

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

Legend
ConfederationBest performanceWomen's team
Africa – CANA
Americas – UANA 1stFlag of the United States.svg  United States (2012, 2016)
Asia – AASF 5thFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (2008*, 2012)
Europe – LEN 1stFlag of Italy.svg  Italy (2004), Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands (2008)
Oceania – OSA 1stFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (2000*)

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water polo at the Summer Olympics</span>

Water polo has been part of the Summer Olympics program since the second games, in 1900. A women's water polo tournament was introduced for the 2000 Summer Olympics. Hungary has been the most successful country in men's tournament, while the United States is the only team to win multiple times at the women's tournament since its introduction. Italy is the first and only country to win both the men's and women's water polo tournaments.

This article presents the national team appearances in the men's Olympic water polo tournament since the inaugural official edition in 1900.

This article lists various water polo records and statistics in relation to the United States women's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics.

This article lists various water polo records and statistics in relation to the Australia women's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics.

This article lists various water polo records and statistics in relation to the Italy women's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics.

This article lists various water polo records and statistics in relation to the Spain men's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics.

This article lists various water polo records and statistics in relation to the Spain women's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics.

This article lists various water polo records and statistics in relation to the Netherlands women's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics.

This article lists various water polo records and statistics in relation to the Greece women's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics.

This article lists various water polo records and statistics in relation to the China women's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "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

Official Results Books (IOC)

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)

PDF documents on the FINA website:

Official website (IOC)

Water polo on the International Olympic Committee website:

Olympedia

Water polo on the Olympedia website:

Sports Reference

Water polo on the Sports Reference website:

Todor66

Water polo on the Todor66 website: