• Try a sport
• Prize winners

Olympic history (pre London 2012)

Water Polo is the oldest Olympic team sport having been contested continuously at every modern Olympic Games since Paris 1900. Women’s water polo made its debut in Sydney 2000. Much of the credit for its inclusion on the Olympic Games program can be credited to lobbying led by Australia, the United States, Canada and Holland. In a fitting conclusion to the Sydney tournament, the two countries that perhaps were the greatest proponents for the sport to gain Olympic Games status, Australia and the United States, played off for the gold medal.

Summary of past Australian Olympic team results

• The gold medal winning performance by the Australian women at their home Olympics in Sydney 2000 is the overwhelming highlight for Australia in this sport. In a nail-biting finish, Australia’s Yvette Higgins scored the winning goal with 1.2 seconds left on the clock.
• In Beijing 2008, the Aussie women beat Hungary by one goal in a thrilling match to win bronze.
• Australia’s men have not won a medal in water polo with the best placing being fifth in Los Angeles 1984 and in Barcelona 1992.
• After finishing second in the 2010 Federation Internationale De Natation (FINA) Water Polo Cup, the Aussie women are looking in good form to continue their success in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Sporting organisation