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

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

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, 52 men's national water polo teams from six continents have competed at the Olympic Games. European teams have won all 27 official tournaments. The inaugural winners in 1900 were Great Britain; the current champions are Serbia. The most successful team is currently Hungary men's team, who has won the Olympic title on nine occasions.[1][2][3]

Abbreviations

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

Team statistics

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Comprehensive team results by tournament

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Note: Results of Olympic qualification tournaments are not included. Numbers refer to the final placing of each team at the respective Games; italic number in header means unofficial tournament was held. Last updated: 11 February 2024.

Legend

  •  1  – Champions
  •  2  – Runners-up
  •  3  – Third place
  •  4  – Fourth place
  •   – Qualified but were not allowed to compete
  •   – Disqualified
  •  —  – The nation did not participate in the Games
  •  Q  – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
  •     – Hosts
  • = – More than one team tied for that rank
  • Team – Defunct team

Abbreviation

  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
  • EUA – United Team of Germany
  • FRG – West Germany
  • FRY – FR Yugoslavia
  • GDR – East Germany
  • SCG – Serbia and Montenegro
Europe – LEN (34 teams)
Men's team[1] 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Years
  Austria 4 7 13 3
  Belgium (stats) 2 2 3 2 2 6 3 4 6 16 7 11
  Bulgaria 11 12 2
  Croatia (stats) Part of Yugoslavia 2 7 10 6 1 2 5 2 8
  Czechoslovakia 12 6 10 11 12 Defunct 5
  East Germany Part of Germany P. of EUA 6 Part of Germany 1
  France (stats) 3[c] 6 9 1 3 4 6 10 10 11 11 10 12
  Germany (stats) =5 1 2 2 15 See EUA See FRG and GDR 7 9 5 10 9
  Great Britain (stats) 1 1 1 1 8 4 8 13 12 7 12 11
  Greece (stats) 8 13 15 14 14 10 8 9 10 6 10 4 7 9 6 2 5 17
  Hungary (stats) 5 5 2 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 3 2 1 3 5 6 4 1 1 1 5 5 3 4 24
  Iceland 15 1
  Ireland 9 14 2
  Italy (stats) 10 11 1 3 4 1 4 4 6 2 8 7 7 1 3 5 8 9 2 3 7 7 22
  Luxembourg 11 1
  Malta 8 16 2
  Montenegro (stats) Part of Yugoslavia P. of FRY / SCG 4 4 4 8 9 5
  Netherlands (stats) 4 5 7 5 5 3 5 8 8 7 7 3 6 6 9 10 11 17
  Portugal 20 1
  Romania (stats) 17 8 5 5 8 4 9 11 10 12 10
  Russia (stats) Part of Soviet Union [b] 5 2 3 3
  Serbia (stats) Part of Yugoslavia P. of FRY / SCG 3 3 1 1 1 5
  Serbia and Montenegro (stats) Part of Yugoslavia See FRY 2 Defunct 1
  Slovakia Part of Czechoslovakia 12 1
  Soviet Union[d] (stats) 7 3 2 3 2 1 8 1 3 Defunct 9
  Spain (stats) 7 10 9 8 8 9 10 4 4 6 2 1 4 6 5 6 7 4 6 19
  Sweden (stats) 3 2 3 4 6 5 11 11 8
   Switzerland 11 12 12 12 14 5
  Ukraine Part of Soviet Union [b] 12 1
  Unified Team[b] (stats) Part of Soviet Union 3 Defunct 1
  United Team of Germany (stats) See Germany 6 6 6 See FRG and GDR See Germany 3
  West Germany (stats) Part of Germany P. of EUA 10 4 6 3 4 Part of Germany 5
  Yugoslavia (stats) 10 9 2 2 4 2 1 5 5 2 1 1 Defunct 12
  Yugoslavia[e] (stats) Part of Yugoslavia 8 3 Defunct 2

Debut of teams

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Last updated: 12 February 2024.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
  • Team – Defunct team
# Year[1] Debuting teams Number Cumulative total
Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania
1 1900   Belgium,   France*,   Germany,   Great Britain 4 4
2 1904 Water polo was an unofficial sport
3 1908   Netherlands,   Sweden 2 6
4 1912   Austria,   Hungary 2 8
5 1920   Brazil,   United States   Czechoslovakia,   Greece,   Italy,   Spain,    Switzerland 7 15
6 1924   Ireland 1 16
7 1928   Argentina   Luxembourg,   Malta 3 19
8 1932   Japan 1 20
9 1936   Uruguay   Iceland,   Yugoslavia 3 23
10 1948   Egypt   Chile   India   Australia 4 27
11 1952   South Africa   Mexico   Portugal,   Romania,   Soviet Union 5 32
12 1956   Singapore   United Team of Germany 2 34
13 1960 0 34
14 1964 0 34
# Year Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania Number Cumulative total
15 1968   Cuba   East Germany,   West Germany 3 37
16 1972   Canada   Bulgaria 2 39
17 1976   Iran 1 40
18 1980 0 40
19 1984   China 1 41
20 1988   South Korea* 1 42
21 1992   Unified Team[b] 1 43
22 1996   Croatia,   Russia,   Ukraine,   Yugoslavia[e] 4 47
23 2000   Kazakhstan   Slovakia 2 49
24 2004   Serbia and Montenegro 1 50
25 2008   Montenegro,   Serbia 2 52
26 2012 0 52
27 2016 0 52
28 2020 0 52
29 2024 0 52
Total 2 8 7 34 1 52 52

Number of appearances by team

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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: 8 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation

  • Year* – As host team
  • Team – Defunct team
  • Apps – Appearances
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics

Results of host teams

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Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team – Defunct team
  • Finish – It is the best performance of the team
  • Apps – Appearances
# Year[1] Host team Finish Best finish Apps Confederation
1 1900   France 3rd of 7 teams[c] Champions (1924*) 11 Europe – LEN
2 1904 Water polo was an unofficial sport
3 1908   Great Britain 1st of 4 teams Champions (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920) 11 Europe – LEN
4 1912   Sweden 2nd of 6 teams Runners-up (1912*) 8 Europe – LEN
5 1920   Belgium 2nd of 12 teams Runners-up (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924) 11 Europe – LEN
6 1924   France 1st of 13 teams Champions (1924*) 11 Europe – LEN
7 1928   Netherlands 5th of 14 teams Third place (1948, 1976) 17 Europe – LEN
8 1932   United States 3rd of 5 teams Runners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008) 22 Americas – UANA
9 1936   Germany 2nd of 16 teams Champions (1928) 9 Europe – LEN
10 1948   Great Britain 13th of 18 teams Champions (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920) 11 Europe – LEN
11 1952   Finland did not participate 0 Europe – LEN
12 1956   Australia 9th of 10 teams Fifth place (1984, 1992) 17 Oceania – OSA
13 1960   Italy 1st of 16 teams Champions (1948, 1960*, 1992) 21 Europe – LEN
14 1964   Japan 11th of 13 teams Fourth place (1932) 9 Asia – AASF
# Year Host team Finish Best finish Apps Confederation
15 1968   Mexico 11th of 15 teams Tenth place (1976) 4 Americas – UANA
16 1972   West Germany 4th of 16 teams Third place (1984) 5 Europe – LEN
17 1976   Canada 9th of 12 teams Ninth place (1976*) 4 Americas – UANA
18 1980   Soviet Union 1st of 12 teams Champions (1972, 1980*) 9 Europe – LEN
19 1984   United States 2nd of 12 teams Runners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008) 22 Americas – UANA
20 1988   South Korea 12th of 12 teams Twelfth place (1988*) 1 Asia – AASF
21 1992   Spain 2nd of 12 teams Champions (1996) 18 Europe – LEN
22 1996   United States 7th of 12 teams Runners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008) 22 Americas – UANA
23 2000   Australia 8th of 12 teams Fifth place (1984, 1992) 17 Oceania – OSA
24 2004   Greece 4th of 12 teams Runners-up (2020) 16 Europe – LEN
25 2008   China 12th of 12 teams Ninth place (1984) 3 Asia – AASF
26 2012   Great Britain 12th of 12 teams Champions (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920) 11 Europe – LEN
27 2016   Brazil 8th of 12 teams Sixth place (1920) 8 Americas – UANA
28 2020   Japan 10th of 12 teams Fourth place (1932) 9 Asia – AASF
# Year Host team Finish Best finish Apps Confederation

Results of defending champions and runners-up

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Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
  • Team – Defunct team
# Year[1] Defending champions Finish Defending runners-up Finish
1 1900
2 1904 Water polo was an unofficial sport
3 1908
4 1912   Great Britain 1st of 6 teams   Belgium 3rd of 6 teams
5 1920   Great Britain 1st of 12 teams   Sweden 3rd of 12 teams
6 1924   Great Britain 8th of 13 teams   Belgium 2nd of 13 teams
7 1928   France 3rd of 14 teams   Belgium 6th of 14 teams
8 1932   Germany 2nd of 5 teams   Hungary 1st of 5 teams
9 1936   Hungary 1st of 16 teams   Germany* 2nd of 16 teams
10 1948   Hungary 2nd of 18 teams   Germany did not participate
11 1952   Italy 3rd of 21 teams   Hungary 1st of 21 teams
12 1956   Hungary 1st of 10 teams   Yugoslavia 2nd of 10 teams
13 1960   Hungary 3rd of 16 teams   Yugoslavia 4th of 16 teams
14 1964   Italy 4th of 13 teams   Soviet Union 3rd of 13 teams
# Year Defending champions Finish Defending runners-up Finish
15 1968   Hungary 3rd of 15 teams   Yugoslavia 1st of 15 teams
16 1972   Yugoslavia 5th of 16 teams   Soviet Union 1st of 16 teams
17 1976   Soviet Union 8th of 12 teams   Hungary 1st of 12 teams
18 1980   Hungary 3rd of 12 teams   Italy 8th of 12 teams
19 1984   Soviet Union Qualified but withdrew   Yugoslavia 1st of 12 teams
20 1988   Yugoslavia 1st of 12 teams   United States 2nd of 12 teams
21 1992   Yugoslavia Defunct   United States 4th of 12 teams
22 1996   Italy 3rd of 12 teams   Spain 1st of 12 teams
23 2000   Spain 4th of 12 teams   Croatia 7th of 12 teams
24 2004   Hungary 1st of 12 teams   Russia 3rd of 12 teams
25 2008   Hungary 1st of 12 teams   Serbia and Montenegro Defunct
26 2012   Hungary 5th of 12 teams   United States 8th of 12 teams
27 2016   Croatia 2nd of 12 teams   Italy 3rd of 12 teams
28 2020   Serbia 1st of 12 teams   Croatia 5th of 12 teams
# Year Defending champions Finish Defending runners-up Finish

Best finishes by team

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The following table is pre-sorted by best finish (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation

  • Year* – As host team
  • Team – Defunct team
  • Apps – Appearances
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics

Finishes in the top four

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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: 8 August 2021.

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
  • Team – Defunct team

Medal table

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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: 11 August 2024.

Hungary is the most successful country in the men's Olympic water polo tournament, with nine gold, three silver and four bronze.[1]

Legend
  • Team – Defunct team
RankMen's teamGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1  Hungary (HUN)93416
2  Yugoslavia (YUG)3407
3  Italy (ITA)3238
4  Serbia (SRB)3025
5  Great Britain (GBR)[g]3003
6  Soviet Union (URS)2237
7  United States (USA)[h]14510
8  Croatia (CRO)1304
9  Germany (GER)1203
10  Spain (ESP)1102
11  France (FRA)[c]1023
12  Mixed team (ZZX)1012
13  Belgium (BEL)0426
14  Sweden (SWE)0123
15  Russia (RUS)0112
  Serbia and Montenegro (SCG)[e]0112
17  Greece (GRE)0101
18  Netherlands (NED)0022
19  Unified Team (EUN)[b]0011
  West Germany (FRG)0011
Totals (20 entries)29293088

Longest active appearance droughts

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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: 8 August 2021.

Notes:

  • Does not include teams that have not yet made their first appearance at the Olympics or teams that no longer 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
Longest active appearance droughts
Rk Men's team[1] Last appearance Olympics missed Best finish Confederation
1   Ireland 1928 21 Ninth place Europe – LEN
  Luxembourg 1928 21 Eleventh place Europe – LEN
3   Iceland 1936 19 Fifteenth place Europe – LEN
  Malta 1936 19 Eighth place Europe – LEN
5   Chile 1948 18 Seventeenth place Americas – UANA
   Switzerland 1948 18 Eleventh place Europe – LEN
  Uruguay 1948 18 Thirteenth place Americas – UANA
8   Austria 1952 17 Fourth place Europe – LEN
  India 1952 17 Twelfth place Asia – AASF
  Portugal 1952 17 Twentieth place Europe – LEN
11   Singapore 1956 16 Tenth place Asia – AASF
12   Argentina 1960 15 Tenth place Americas – UANA
13   Belgium 1964 14 Runners-up Europe – LEN
14   Iran 1976 11 Twelfth place Asia – AASF
  Mexico 1976 11 Tenth place Americas – UANA
16   Bulgaria 1980 10 Eleventh place Europe – LEN
  Sweden 1980 10 Runners-up Europe – LEN
18   South Korea 1988* 8 Twelfth place Asia – AASF
19   Cuba 1992 7 Fifth place Americas – UANA
20   Ukraine 1996 6 Twelfth place Europe – LEN
21   Netherlands 2000 5 Third place Europe – LEN
  Slovakia 2000 5 Twelfth place Europe – LEN
23   Egypt 2004 4 Seventh place Africa – CANA
  Russia 2004 4 Runners-up Europe – LEN
25   Canada 2008 3 Ninth place Americas – UANA
  China 2008* 3 Ninth place Asia – AASF
  Germany 2008 3 Champions Europe – LEN
28   Great Britain 2012* 2 Champions Europe – LEN
  Romania 2012 2 Fourth place Europe – LEN
30   Brazil 2016* 1 Sixth place Americas – UANA
  France 2016 1 Champions Europe – LEN
32   Australia 2020 0 Fifth place Oceania – OSA
  Croatia 2020 0 Champions Europe – LEN
  Greece 2020 0 Runners-up Europe – LEN
  Hungary 2020 0 Champions Europe – LEN
  Italy 2020 0 Champions Europe – LEN
  Japan 2020* 0 Fourth place Asia – AASF
  Kazakhstan 2020 0 Ninth place Asia – AASF
  Montenegro 2020 0 Fourth place Europe – LEN
  Serbia 2020 0 Champions Europe – LEN
  South Africa 2020 0 Ninth place Africa – CANA
  Spain 2020 0 Champions Europe – LEN
  United States 2020 0 Runners-up Americas – UANA
Rk Men's team Last appearance Olympics missed Best finish Confederation

Longest appearance droughts overall

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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: 8 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 Men's team[1] Prev. appearance Next appearance Olympics missed Best finish Confederation
1   Ireland 1928 active 21 Ninth place Europe – LEN
  Luxembourg 1928 active 21 Eleventh place Europe – LEN
3   Iceland 1936 active 19 Fifteenth place Europe – LEN
  Malta 1936 active 19 Eighth place Europe – LEN
5   Chile 1948 active 18 Seventeenth place Americas – UANA
   Switzerland 1948 active 18 Eleventh place Europe – LEN
  Uruguay 1948 active 18 Thirteenth place Americas – UANA
8   Austria 1952 active 17 Fourth place Europe – LEN
  India 1952 active 17 Twelfth place Asia – AASF
  Portugal 1952 active 17 Twentieth place Europe – LEN
11   Singapore 1956 active 16 Tenth place Asia – AASF
12   Argentina 1960 active 15 Tenth place Americas – UANA
13   South Africa 1960 2020 14 Ninth place Africa – CANA
  Belgium 1964 active 14 Runners-up Europe – LEN
15   Great Britain 1956 2012* 13 Champions Europe – LEN
16   Czechoslovakia 1936 1992 11 Sixth place Europe – LEN
  Iran 1976 active 11 Twelfth place Asia – AASF
  Mexico 1976 active 11 Tenth place Americas – UANA
19   Bulgaria 1980 active 10 Eleventh place Europe – LEN
  Sweden 1980 active 10 Runners-up Europe – LEN
21   Germany 1952 1992 9 Champions Europe – LEN
22   Egypt 1968 2004 8 Seventh place Africa – CANA
  South Korea 1988* active 8 Twelfth place Asia – AASF
24   Brazil 1984 2016* 7 Sixth place Americas – UANA
  Japan 1984 2016 7 Fourth place Asia – AASF
  Cuba 1992 active 7 Fifth place Americas – UANA
27   France 1960 1988 6 Champions Europe – LEN
  Ukraine 1996 active 6 Twelfth place Europe – LEN
29   Canada 1984 2008 5 Ninth place Americas – UANA
  Netherlands 2000 active 5 Third place Europe – LEN
  Slovakia 2000 active 5 Twelfth place Europe – LEN
32   Greece 1948 1968 4 Runners-up Europe – LEN
  China 1988 2008* 4 Ninth place Asia – AASF
  Russia 2004 active 4 Runners-up Europe – LEN
35   Italy 1924 1948 3 Champions Europe – LEN
  Spain 1952 1968 3 Champions Europe – LEN
  Romania 1980 1996 3 Fourth place Europe – LEN
1996 2012 3
38   United States 1972 1984* 2 Runners-up Americas – UANA
39   Hungary 1912 1924 1 Champions Europe – LEN
1980 1988 1
  Australia 1964 1972 1 Fifth place Oceania – OSA
1992 2000* 1
  West Germany 1976 1984 1 Third place Europe – LEN
  Soviet Union 1980* 1988 1 Champions Europe – LEN
  Kazakhstan 2004 2012 1 Ninth place Asia – AASF
2012 2020 1
44   United Team of Germany 1964 defunct 0 Sixth place Europe – LEN
  East Germany 1968 defunct 0 Sixth place Europe – LEN
  Yugoslavia 1988 defunct 0 Champions Europe – LEN
  Unified Team[b] 1992 defunct 0 Third place Europe – LEN
  Yugoslavia[e] 2000 defunct 0 Third place Europe – LEN
  Serbia and Montenegro 2004 defunct 0 Runners-up Europe – LEN
  Croatia 2020 active 0 Champions Europe – LEN
  Montenegro 2020 active 0 Fourth place Europe – LEN
  Serbia 2020 active 0 Champions Europe – LEN
Rk Men's team Prev. appearance Next appearance Olympics missed Best finish Confederation

Team records

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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: 8 August 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team – Defunct team

Appearances

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Most appearances
23, Hungary (1912, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Most appearances, never winning a title
21, United States (1920, 1924, 1928, 1932*, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1984*, 1988, 1992, 1996*, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Most appearances, never finishing in the top two
17, Netherlands (1908, 1920, 1924, 1928*, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000).
Most appearances, never winning a medal
16, Australia (1948, 1952, 1956*, 1960, 1964, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000*, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Most appearances, never finishing in the top four
16, Australia (1948, 1952, 1956*, 1960, 1964, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000*, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Fewest appearances
1, Luxembourg (1928), Iceland (1936), Chile (1948), Portugal (1952), Singapore (1956), East Germany (1968), Iran (1976), South Korea (1988*), Unified Team[b] (1992), Ukraine (1996), Slovakia (2000), Serbia and Montenegro (2004).
Fewest appearances, winning a title
4, Serbia (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top two
1, Serbia and Montenegro (2004).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top two, active team
3, Russia (1996, 2000, 2004).
Fewest appearances, winning a medal
1, Unified Team[b] (1992), Serbia and Montenegro (2004).
Fewest appearances, winning a medal, active team
3, Russia (1996, 2000, 2004).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top four
1, Unified Team[b] (1992), Serbia and Montenegro (2004).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top four, active team
3, Austria (1912, 1936, 1952), Russia (1996, 2000, 2004).

Top four

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Most titles won
9, Hungary (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008).
Most second-place finishes
4, Belgium (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924), Yugoslavia (1952, 1956, 1964, 1980).
Most third-place finishes
4, Hungary (1960, 1968, 1980, 2020).
Most fourth-place finishes
4, Spain (1980, 1984, 2000, 2020).
Most finishes in the top two
12, Hungary (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1972, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008).
Most finishes in the top two, never winning a title
4, Belgium (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924).
Most finishes in the top three
16, Hungary (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2020).
Most finishes in the top three, never winning a title
6, Belgium (1900, 1908, 1912, 1920*, 1924, 1936), United States (1924, 1932, 1972, 1984, 1988, 2008).
Most finishes in the top three, never finishing in the top two
2, Netherlands (1948, 1976).
Most finishes in the top four
17, Hungary (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2020).
Most finishes in the top four, never winning a title
9, United States (1920, 1924, 1932*, 1952, 1972, 1984*, 1988, 1992, 2008).
Most finishes in the top four, never finishing in the top two
3, Netherlands (1908, 1948, 1976), West Germany (1972*, 1984, 1988), Montenegro (2008, 2012, 2016).
Most finishes in the top four, never winning a medal
3, Montenegro (2008, 2012, 2016).
Fewest finishes in the top two, winning a title
1, France (1924*).
Fewest finishes in the top three, winning a title
2, Spain (1992*, 1996).
Fewest finishes in the top three, finishing in the top two
1, Serbia and Montenegro (2004), Greece (2020).
Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a title
3, Germany (1928, 1932, 1936*), Croatia (1996, 2012, 2016).
Fewest finishes in the top four, finishing in the top two
1, Serbia and Montenegro (2004).
Fewest finishes in the top four, finishing in the top two, active team
2, Russia (2000, 2004), Greece (2004, 2020).
Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a medal
1, Unified Team[b] (1992), FR Yugoslavia (2000), Serbia and Montenegro (2004).
Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a medal, active team
2, Russia (2000, 2004), Greece (2004, 2020).

Consecutive

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Most consecutive titles won
3, Great Britain (1908*–1912–1920), Hungary (2000–2004–2008).
Most consecutive second-place finishes
2, Belgium (1920*–1924), Germany (1932–1936*), Yugoslavia (1952–1956), United States (1984*–1988).
Most consecutive third-place finishes
2, Serbia (2008–2012).
Most consecutive fourth-place finishes
3, Montenegro (2008–2012–2016).
Most consecutive finishes in the top two
6, Hungary (1928–1932–1936–1948–1952–1956).
Most consecutive finishes in the top three
12, Hungary (1928–1932–1936–1948–1952–1956–1960–1964–1968–1972–1976–1980).
Most consecutive finishes in the top four
12, Hungary (1928–1932–1936–1948–1952–1956–1960–1964–1968–1972–1976–1980).
Most consecutive appearances
19, Italy (1948–1952–1956–1960*–1964–1968–1972–1976–1980–1984–1988–1992–1996–2000–2004–2008–2012–2016–2020).
Biggest improvement in position in consecutive tournaments
Did not participate/qualify, then won the title, Germany (1924–1928), Italy (1936–1948).

Gaps

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Longest gap between successive titles
24 years, Hungary (1976–2000).
Longest gap between successive second-place finishes
36 years, Italy (1976–2012).
Longest gap between successive third-place finishes
44 years, Italy (1952–1996).
Longest gap between successive fourth-place finishes
40 years, United States (1952–1992).
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top two
24 years, Hungary (1976–2000).
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top three
40 years, United States (1932*–1972).
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top four
40 years, Netherlands (1908–1948).
Longest gap between successive appearances
61 years, South Africa (1960–2020).

Debuting teams

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Best finish by a debuting team
Champions, Great Britain (1900).
Best finish by a debuting team after 1900
Runners-up, Croatia (1996), Serbia and Montenegro (2004).
Worst finish by a debuting team
20th position, Portugal (1952).
Worst finish by a debuting team after 1972
12th position (last position), Iran (1976), South Korea (1988*), Ukraine (1996), Slovakia (2000).

Host teams

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Best finish by host team
Champions, Great Britain (1908*), France (1924*), Italy (1960*), Soviet Union (1980*).
Worst finish by host team
Did not participate/qualify, Finland (1952*).
Worst finish by host team that participates in the tournament
13th position, Great Britain (1948*).
Worst finish by host team that participates in the tournament after 1972
12th position (last position), South Korea (1988*), China (2008*), Great Britain (2012*).
Best finish by last host team
Champions, Great Britain (1912), Spain (1996).
Worst finish by last host team
Did not participate/qualify, Netherlands (1932), Germany (1948), Canada (1980), Soviet Union (1984, withdrew), South Korea (1992), China (2012), Great Britain (2016), Brazil (2020).
Worst finish by last host team that participates in the tournament
15th position, Australia (1960).
Worst finish by last host team that participates in the tournament after 1972
9th position, Australia (2004).
Had its best performance as hosts
Champions, Great Britain (1908*), France (1924*), Italy (1960*), Soviet Union (1980*).
Runners-up, Sweden (1912*), Belgium (1920*), United States (1984*).
9th position, Canada (1976*).
12th position, South Korea (1988*).
Had its worst performance as hosts
12th position, South Korea (1988*), China (2008*).
13th position, Great Britain (1948*).
Had its worst performance as hosts after 1972
12th position (last position), South Korea (1988*), China (2008*), Great Britain (2012*).

Defending champions

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Best finish by defending champions
Champions, Great Britain (1912, 1920), Hungary (1936, 1956, 2004, 2008), Yugoslavia (1988), Serbia (2020).
Worst finish by defending champions
Did not participate/qualify, Soviet Union (1984, withdrew), Yugoslavia (1992, defunct).
Worst finish by defending champions that participates in the next tournament
8th position, Great Britain (1924), Soviet Union (1976).

Defending runners-up

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Best finish by defending runners-up
Champions, Hungary (1932, 1952, 1976), Soviet Union (1972), Spain (1996), Yugoslavia (1968, 1984).
Worst finish by defending runners-up
Did not participate/qualify, Germany (1948), Serbia and Montenegro (2008, defunct).
Worst finish by defending runners-up that participates in the next tournament
8th position, Italy (1980), United States (2012).

Population

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Most populated country, participant
China (2008*), 1,324,655,000 (source)
Least populated country, participant
Iceland (1928), 104,000 (source)
Least populated country, participant, after 1972
Montenegro (2008), 616,000 (source)
Most populated country, hosts
China (2008*), 1,324,655,000 (source)
Least populated country, hosts
Finland (1952*), 4,090,000 (source)
Most populated country, champions
Soviet Union (1980*), more than 260,000,000 (source)
Least populated country, champions
Croatia (2012), 4,267,000 (source)
Most populated country, runners-up
United States (2008), 304,375,000 (source)
Least populated country, runners-up
Croatia (1996), 4,516,000 (source)
Most populated country, third place
Unified Team[b] (1992), more than 280,000,000 (source)
Least populated country, third place
Sweden (1908), 5,404,000 (source)
Most populated country, fourth place
United States (1992), 256,514,000 (source)
Least populated country, fourth place
Montenegro (2008), 616,000 (source)

Confederation statistics

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Number of teams by confederation

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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 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20
Africa – CANA 1 2 2 1 1 1 1
Americas – UANA 2 1 2 2 2 4 4 1 3 2 4 4 3 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1
Asia – AASF 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2
Europe – LEN 7 4 6 10 12 12 2 13 11 13 7 9 8 9 10 7 10 6 8 9 11 9 8 8 9 8 7
Oceania – OSA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Total teams 7 4 6 12 13 14 5 16 18 21 10 16 13 15 16 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

Best performances by tournament

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This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation in each tournament.[1] Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Note: italic number in header means unofficial tournament was held.

Legend

  •  1st  – Champions
  •  2nd  – Runners-up
  •  3rd  – Third place
  •  4th  – Fourth place
  •  Q  – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
Confederation 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24
Africa – CANA 7th 10th 9th 12th 15th 12th 12th
Americas – UANA 4th 3rd 7th 3rd 9th 10th 4th 5th 7th 9th 5th 3rd 7th 5th 2nd 2nd 4th 7th 6th 7th 2nd 8th 10th 6th 3rd
Asia – AASF 4th 14th 12th 21st 10th 14th 11th 12th 15th 12th 9th 11th 9th 11th 12th 11th 12th 10th 11th
Europe – LEN 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st
Oceania – OSA 18th 19th 9th 15th 10th 12th 11th 7th 5th 8th 5th 8th 9th 8th 7th 9th 9th 8th
Total teams 7 4 6 12 13 14 5 16 18 21 10 16 13 15 16 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

All-time best performances

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This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation at the Olympics.[1] Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team – Defunct team
Confederation Best performance Men's team
Africa – CANA 7th   Egypt (1948)
Americas – UANA 2nd   United States (1984*, 1988, 2008)
Asia – AASF 4th   Japan (1932)
Europe – LEN 1st   Croatia (2012),   France (1924*),   Germany (1928),   Great Britain (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920),   Hungary (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008),   Italy (1948, 1960*, 1992),   Serbia (2016, 2020),   Soviet Union (1972, 1980*),   Spain (1996),   Yugoslavia (1968, 1984, 1988)
Oceania – OSA 5th   Australia (1984, 1992)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ At the 1932 Olympics, Brazil was disqualified after their players attacked the Hungarian referee at the end of their match against Germany. Their two matches were annulled. Therefore, Hungary and Japan won their games scheduled with Brazil, by forfeit. For more details, please see the Official Report of the 1932 Olympic Games (pp. 650–651), and here.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o In 1992, 12 of the 15 former Soviet Republics competed together as the Unified Team and marched under the Olympic Flag in the Barcelona Games.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d France had four teams compete in 1900. Bronze medals were given to the losers of both semifinals; France took both bronze. Bill Burgess, a member of one of the French bronze team was a British nationality, so later IOC attributed one bronze medal to Mixed team.
  4. ^ The Olympic Committee of the Soviet Union was formed on 21 April 1951, and was recognised by the International Olympic Committee on 7 May 1951.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g After the breakup of Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia men's national water polo team participated at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and won a bronze medal in 2000. In 2003, after the country was renamed from FR Yugoslavia to Serbia and Montenegro, the team was also renamed to "Serbia and Montenegro men's national water polo team". Despite the renaming of the country name, both team of FR Yugoslavia and team of Serbia and Montenegro represented the same national entity: a joint state of Montenegro and Serbia.
  6. ^ While Australia had qualified to compete as one of sixteen water polo teams, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) did not endorse them. The Australian players responded by paying their own way to travel to Mexico City, but the team were not allowed to compete. For more details, please see here (1, 2).
  7. ^ British team won gold medal in 1900. Victor Lindberg, a member of British team was a New Zealander, so later IOC attributed gold medal to Mixed team.
  8. ^ Previously, the International Olympic Committee and International Swimming Federation (FINA) considered the water polo event at the 1904 Olympics as a demonstration sport. However, in July 2021, after accepting the recommendation of Olympic historian Bill Mallon, the IOC recognized water polo along with several others as an official sport of the 1904 Olympic program.

References

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  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "HistoFINA – Water polo medalists and statistics" (PDF). fina.org. FINA. September 2019. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Water polo men - Olympic Water Polo". olympic.org. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Water Polo — Water Polo, Men". olympedia.org. Olympedia. Retrieved 15 January 2021.

Sources

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Official Reports (IOC)

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PDF documents in the LA84 Foundation Digital Library:

Official Results Books (IOC)

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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)

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PDF documents on the FINA website:

Official website (IOC)

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Water polo on the International Olympic Committee website:

Olympedia

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Water polo on the Olympedia website:

Sports Reference

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Water polo on the Sports Reference website:

Todor66

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Water polo on the Todor66 website:

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