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

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

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
  •  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]2000200420082012201620202024Years
 South Africa10thWD1
Americas – UANA (3 teams)
Women's team[1]2000200420082012201620202024Years
 Brazil8th1
 Canada (stats)5th7th7thQ4
 United States (stats)2nd3rd2nd1st1st1stQ7
Asia – AASF (3 teams)
Women's team[1]2000200420082012201620202024Years
 China (stats)5th5th7th8thQ5
 Japan9th1
 Kazakhstan6th8th2
Europe – LEN (9 teams)
Women's team[1]2000200420082012201620202024Years
 FranceQ1
 Great Britain8th1
 Greece (stats)2nd8thQ3
 Hungary (stats)6th4th4th4th3rdQ6
 Italy (stats)1st6th7th2ndQ5
 Netherlands (stats)4th1st6thQ4
 ROC (stats)4th1
 Russia (stats)3rd5th7th6th3rd5
 Spain (stats)2nd5th2ndQ4
Oceania – OSA (1 team)
Women's team[1]2000200420082012201620202024Years
 Australia (stats)1st4th3rd3rd6th5thQ7
Total teams688881010

Debut of teams

Last updated: 7 January 2024.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
#Year[1]Debuting teamsNumberCumulative total
AfricaAmericasAsiaEuropeOceania
12000  Canada,  United States  Kazakhstan  Netherlands,  Russia  Australia*66
22004  Greece*,  Hungary,  Italy39
32008  China*110
42012  Great Britain*,  Spain212
52016  Brazil*113
62020  South Africa  Japan*215
72024  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
  • Year* – As host team
  • Apps – Appearances
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Number of appearances by team
RkWomen's team[1]AppsRecord
streak
Active
streak
DebutMost
recent
Best finishConfederation
1  Australia (stats)6662000*2020ChampionsOceania – OSA
 Russia (stats)66620002020Third placeEurope – LEN
 United States (stats)66620002020ChampionsAmericas – UANA
4  Hungary (stats)55520042020Fourth placeEurope – LEN
5  Italy (stats)44020042016ChampionsEurope – LEN
 China (stats)4442008*2020Fifth placeAsia – AASF
7  Canada (stats)32120002020Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
 Netherlands (stats)31120002020ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Spain (stats)33320122020Runners-upEurope – LEN
10  Kazakhstan22020002004Sixth placeAsia – AASF
 Greece (stats)2202004*2008Runners-upEurope – LEN
12  Great Britain1102012*2012*Eighth placeEurope – LEN
 Brazil1112016*2016*Eighth placeAmericas – UANA
 Japan1112020*2020*Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 South Africa11120202020Tenth 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* – As host team
  • Finish – It is the best performance of the team
  • Apps – Appearances
#Year[1]Host teamFinishBest finishAppsConfederation
12000  Australia1st of 6 teamsChampions (2000*)5Oceania – OSA
22004  Greece2nd of 8 teamsRunners-up (2004*)2Europe – LEN
32008  China5th of 8 teamsFifth place (2008*, 2012)3Asia – AASF
42012  Great Britain8th of 8 teamsEighth place (2012*)1Europe – LEN
52016  Brazil8th of 8 teamsEighth place (2016*)1Americas – UANA
62020  Japan9th of 10 teamsNinth place (2020*)1Asia – AASF

Results of defending champions and runners-up

Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
#Year[1]Defending championsFinishDefending runners-upFinish
12000
22004  Australia4th of 8 teams  United States3rd of 8 teams
32008  Italy6th of 8 teams  Greece8th of 8 teams
42012  Netherlandsdid not qualify  United States1st of 8 teams
52016  United States1st of 8 teams  Spain5th of 8 teams
62020  United States1st of 10 teams  Italydid 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
  • Year* – As host team
  • Apps – Appearances
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Best finishes by team
RkWomen's team[1]Best finishAppsConfederation
1  United States (stats)Champions (2002, 2006)6Americas – UANA
2  Australia (stats)Champions (2000*)6Oceania – OSA
 Italy (stats)Champions (2004)4Europe – LEN
 Netherlands (stats)Champions (2008)3Europe – LEN
5  Greece (stats)Runners-up (2004*)2Europe – LEN
 Spain (stats)Runners-up (2012)3Europe – LEN
7  Russia (stats)Third place (2000, 2016)6Europe – LEN
8  Hungary (stats)Fourth place (2008, 2012, 2016)5Europe – LEN
9  China (stats)Fifth place (2008*, 2012)4Asia – AASF
10  Canada (stats)Fifth place (2000)3Americas – UANA
11  KazakhstanSixth place (2000)2Asia – AASF
12  BrazilEighth place (2016*)1Americas – UANA
 Great BritainEighth place (2012*)1Europe – LEN
14  JapanNinth place (2020*)1Asia – AASF
15  South AfricaTenth 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
  • Year* – As host team
RkWomen's team[1]TotalChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeFirstLast
1  United States63 (2012, 2016, 2020)2 (2000, 2008)1 (2004)20002020
2  Australia41 (2000*)2 (2008, 2012)1 (2004)20002012
3  Hungary41 (2020)3 (2008, 2012, 2016)20082020
4  Italy21 (2004)1 (2016)20042016
5  Netherlands21 (2008)1 (2000)20002008
6  Spain22 (2012, 2020)20122020
7  Russia22 (2000, 2016)20002016
8  Greece11 (2004*)20042004
9  ROC11 (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
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

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
RkWomen's team[1]Last appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation
1  Kazakhstan20044Sixth placeAsia – AASF
2  Greece20083Runners-upEurope – LEN
3  Great Britain2012*2Eighth placeEurope – LEN
4  Brazil2016*1Eighth placeAmericas – UANA
 Italy20161ChampionsEurope – LEN
6  Australia20200ChampionsOceania – OSA
 Canada20200Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
 China20200Fifth placeAsia – AASF
 Hungary20200Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Japan2020*0Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Netherlands20200ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Russia20200Third placeEurope – LEN
 South Africa20200Tenth placeAfrica – CANA
 Spain20200Runners-upEurope – LEN
 United States20200ChampionsAmericas – 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:

  • 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
RkWomen's team[1]Prev. appearanceNext appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation
1  Kazakhstan2004active4Sixth placeAsia – AASF
2  Canada200420203Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
 Greece2008active3Runners-upEurope – LEN
4  Netherlands200820202ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Great Britain2012*active2Eighth placeEurope – LEN
6  Brazil2016*active1Eighth placeAmericas – UANA
 Italy2016active1ChampionsEurope – LEN
8  Australia2020active0ChampionsOceania – OSA
 China2020active0Fifth placeAsia – AASF
 Hungary2020active0Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Japan2020*active0Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Russia2020active0Third placeEurope – LEN
 South Africa2020active0Tenth placeAfrica – CANA
 Spain2020active0Runners-upEurope – LEN
 United States2020active0ChampionsAmericas – 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
  • Year* – As host team

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
  •   – Forthcoming tournament
Confederation200020042008201220162020
Africa – CANA1
Americas – UANA221122
Asia – AASF111112
Europe – LEN245544
Oceania – OSA111111
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
  •  1st  – Champions
  •  2nd  – Runners-up
  •  3rd  – Third place
  •  4th  – Fourth place
  •  Q  – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
Confederation200020042008201220162020
Africa – CANA10th
Americas – UANA2nd3rd2nd1st1st1st
Asia – AASF6th8th5th5th7th8th
Europe – LEN3rd1st1st2nd2nd2nd
Oceania – OSA1st4th3rd3rd6th5th
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
  • Year* – As host team
ConfederationBest performanceWomen's team
Africa – CANA
Americas – UANA1st  United States (2012, 2016)
Asia – AASF5th  China (2008*, 2012)
Europe – LEN1st  Italy (2004),  Netherlands (2008)
Oceania – OSA1st  Australia (2000*)

See also

References

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: