Water polo at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Hungary won men's gold; Australia won first women's gold.
The 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney marked the first time women's water polo was included, following a campaign by the Australian women's team that included meeting IOC members at the airport in only swimsuits. Australia won the gold medal in the six-nation women's tournament, defeating the United States. In the men's tournament, twelve nations played 48 matches. Hungary reclaimed the gold medal by beating Russia, while Spain, the 1996 gold medalists, did not win a medal. The matches took place at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre and the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre.
- Host nation
- Australia
- Men's teams
- 12
- Women's teams
- 6
- Men's matches
- 48
- Venues
- Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre
Quick Facts
- Gender
- both
- Year
- 2000
- Country
- Australia
- City
- Sydney
- Venue
- Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, / Sydney International Aquatic Centre
- Dates
- 16 September – 1 October 2000
- Num Teams
- 12 (men's), 6 (women's)
- Confederations
- 4
- Competitors
- 153 men, 78 women
- Champion Other
- HUN (men) / AUS (women)
- Second Other
- RUS (men) / USA (women)
- Third Other
- FRY (men) / RUS (women)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The women's tournament was introduced at the 2000 Summer Olympics after lobbying by the Australian women's team, who once greeted IOC members at the airport dressed only in their swimsuits. Six nations competed, with the host nation Australia winning the gold medal over the United States. The men's tournament featured twelve nations and 48 matches, with Hungary defeating Russia for the gold medal. Spain, the 1996 gold medalists, did not win a medal in Sydney.
Reader's Guide
The 2000 Olympic water polo competition marked a historic expansion with the debut of the women's tournament, a direct result of persistent advocacy by the Australian women's team. Their unconventional protest—greeting IOC officials at the airport in swimsuits—underscored the determination that led to inclusion. Australia's gold medal victory over the United States in the women's final highlighted the host nation's success. In the men's tournament, Hungary's return to the gold medal platform reasserted its traditional dominance, while Spain's failure to medal after winning in 1996 demonstrated the competitive volatility of the sport. The matches were held at two venues: Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre and the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre. The event remains notable for expanding Olympic water polo to include women, setting a precedent for future Games.
Did You Know?
- The women's tournament was introduced at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Australian women lobbied the IOC by showing up at the airport dressed only in their swimsuits.
- Hungary defeated Russia for the men's gold medal.
- Spain, the 1996 gold medalists, did not win a medal in 2000.
More in Water polo at the Summer Olympics 1-24
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