Olympic Gold Medal Winners in Water Polo
Men's Water Polo
Water polo was first included in the Olympic Games in 1900, making it one of the oldest team sports in the Olympic program. Over the years, several countries have dominated the podium in men's water polo.
- Hungary: Hungary is the most successful nation in Olympic men's water polo history. They have won the gold medal nine times (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008).
- Great Britain: Great Britain was the first country to win a gold medal in water polo at the Olympics in 1900. They won again in 1912.
- Yugoslavia: The former Yugoslavia was also a strong force in water polo, securing Olympic golds in 1968, 1984, and 1988.
- Italy: Italy has won three Olympic gold medals in men's water polo (1948, 1960, 1992).
- United States: The USA won its only gold medal in men's water polo in the 1904 St. Louis games.
- Soviet Union: The Soviet Union clinched gold medals in the years 1972 and 1980.
- Croatia, Serbia, and Spain: more recent entrants in the list of Olympic gold medalists with Croatia winning in 2012, Serbia in 2016, 2020, 2024 and Spain in 1996.
Women's Water Polo
Women's water polo was added to the Olympics much later, with the first competition held in 2000 at the Sydney Games.
- United States: The United States women's team is the top Olympic team in women's water polo, having won gold in 2012, 2016, and 2020.
- Australia: Australia won the inaugural Olympic women's water polo gold medal in 2000.
- Netherlands: The Netherlands claimed the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
