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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]
| Apps | Appearances | Rk | Rank | Ref | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| p. | page | pp. | pages |
Comprehensive team results by tournament
Note: Results of Olympic qualification tournaments are not included.
- 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 | 8th | 4 | |||
 United States (stats) |
2nd | 3rd | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 4th | 7 |
| Asia – AASF (3 teams) | ||||||||
| Women's team[1] | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 | Years |
 China (stats) |
5th | 5th | 7th | 8th | 10th | 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 |
9th | 1 | ||||||
 Great Britain |
8th | 1 | ||||||
 Greece (stats) |
2nd | 8th | 7th | 3 | ||||
 Hungary (stats) |
6th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 3rd | 5th | 6 | |
 Italy (stats) |
1st | 6th | 7th | 2nd | 6th | 5 | ||
 Netherlands (stats) |
4th | 1st | 6th | 3rd | 4 | |||
 ROC (stats) |
4th | 1 | ||||||
 Russia (stats) |
3rd | 5th | 7th | 6th | 3rd | 5 | ||
 Spain (stats) |
2nd | 5th | 2nd | 1st | 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 | 2nd | 7 |
| Total teams | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | |
Debut of teams
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
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
| 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
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
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
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
| 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
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
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]
| Rank | Women's team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States (USA) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | Spain (ESP) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Australia (AUS) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Italy (ITA) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Netherlands (NED) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | Greece (GRE) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Russia (RUS) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | Hungary (HUN) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals (8 entries) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | |
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
| 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
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
| 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
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)
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
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
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
| 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*) |
- Lists of Olympic water polo records and statistics
- List of men's Olympic water polo tournament records and statistics
- List of women's Olympic water polo tournament records and statistics
- List of Olympic champions in men's water polo
- List of Olympic champions in women's water polo
- National team appearances in the men's Olympic water polo tournament
- List of players who have appeared in multiple men's Olympic water polo tournaments
- List of players who have appeared in multiple women's Olympic water polo tournaments
- List of Olympic medalists in water polo (men)
- List of Olympic medalists in water polo (women)
- List of men's Olympic water polo tournament top goalscorers
- List of women's Olympic water polo tournament top goalscorers
- List of men's Olympic water polo tournament goalkeepers
- List of women's Olympic water polo tournament goalkeepers
- List of Olympic venues in water polo
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