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List of Olympic champions in men's water polo

This is a list of Olympic champions in men's water polo since the inaugural official edition in 1900.

Abbreviations

History

Men's water polo tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1900. Men's water polo was among the first team sports introduced at the modern Olympic Games in 1900. Seven European teams from four countries, including four from the host nation France, took part in the competition. The British team was the inaugural champion. At the 1904 Summer Olympics, a water polo tournament was contested, three club teams of seven players each entered. A German team tried to enter, but its entry was refused because the players did not play for the same club. The event took place in a pond in Forest Park, the location of both the Olympics and the World's Fair. 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. Water polo was not played at the 1906 Olympics.

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, men's water polo teams from ten European countries won all 27 official tournaments.

From 1908 to 1920, the Great Britain men's national water polo team won three consecutive gold medals at the Olympics, becoming the first team to have an Olympic winning streak in water polo.

Hungary is the most successful country in the men's Olympic water polo tournament, with nine Olympic gold medals. The team won three gold medals in a row between 2000 and 2008, becoming the second water polo team to have an Olympic winning streak.

Italy and Yugoslavia have both won three Olympic titles in men's water polo tournament.

The Serbia men's national team is the reigning Olympic champion.

Legend

  • – Debut
  • – Champions
  • – Olympic winning streak (winning three or more Olympic titles in a row)
  • – Hosts
  • Team<sup>†</sup> – Defunct team

Team statistics

Results

<section begin="Results" />

The following table shows results of Olympic champions in men's water polo by tournament. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend

  • – Winning 6 matches during the tournament
  • – Drawing 4 matches during the tournament
  • – Losing 2 matches during the tournament
  • – Winning all matches during the tournament
  • – Olympic winning streak (winning three or more Olympic titles in a row)
  • – Host team
  • Team<sup>†</sup> – Defunct team

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • W – Won
  • D – Drawn
  • L – Lost
  • GF – Goals for
  • GA – Goals against
  • GD – Goal difference
  • GF/MP – Goals for per match
  • GA/MP – Goals against per match
  • GD/MP – Goal difference per match

Sources:

  • Official Reports (PDF): 1900–1996 (men's tournaments);
  • Official Results Books (PDF): 2000 (pp.&nbsp;45–92), 2004 (p.&nbsp;207), 2008 (p.&nbsp;202), 2012 (p.&nbsp;471), 2016 (p.&nbsp;131), 2020 (p.&nbsp;150);
  • Olympedia: 1900–2020 (men's tournaments);
  • Sports Reference: 1900–2016 (men's tournaments).<section end="Results" />

<section begin="ResultsHistorical" /> From 1900 to 1928, single-elimination tournaments were used to determine Olympic champions in men's water polo. The following table shows men's teams that won all matches during the Olympic tournament since 1932.

The following tables show records of goals for per match.

The following tables show records of goals against per match.

The following tables show records of goal difference per match.

<section end="ResultsHistorical" />

Squads

<section begin="Squads" />The following table shows number of players and average age, height and weight of Olympic champions in men's water polo by tournament. Last updated: 30 August 2021.

Legend

  • – Olympic winning streak
  • – Winning all matches during the tournament
  • – Host team
  • Team<sup>†</sup> – Defunct team

Sources:

  • Official Reports (PDF): 1900–1996 (men's tournaments);
  • Official Results Books (PDF): 2000 (pp.&nbsp;45–92), 2004 (p.&nbsp;208), 2008 (p.&nbsp;203), 2012 (p.&nbsp;472), 2016 (p.&nbsp;132), 2020 (p.&nbsp;151);
  • Olympedia: 1900–2020 (men's tournaments);
  • Sports Reference: 1900–2016 (men's tournaments).<section end="Squads" />

<section begin="SquadsRecords" /> The following tables show records of the number of returning Olympians.

The following tables show records of average age.

The following tables show records of average height.

The following tables show records of average weight.

<section end="SquadsRecords" />

Olympic and world champions (teams)

<section begin="Teams" />The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic titles (in descending order), number of world titles (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 24 July 2025.

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, there are seven men's national water polo teams that won gold medals at the Summer Olympics and the World Aquatics Championships.

Legend

  • Year<sup>*</sup> – As host team
  • Team<sup>†</sup> – Defunct team

<section end="Teams" />

Player statistics

Age records

The following tables show the oldest and youngest male Olympic champions in water polo. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

Legend

  • – Host team

Multiple gold medalists

The following tables are pre-sorted by year of receiving the last Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), year of receiving the first Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

Ten male athletes won three Olympic gold medals in water polo.

Legend

  • Year<sup>*</sup> – As host team

Forty-one male athletes won two Olympic gold medals in water polo.

Legend

  • Year<sup>*</sup> – As host team

Olympic and world champions (players)

<section begin="Olympic and world champions (players)" />The following tables are pre-sorted by number of Olympic titles (in descending order), number of world titles (in descending order), year of receiving the last gold medal (in ascending order), year of receiving the first gold medal (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 11 August 2023.

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, there are ninety-six male athletes who won gold medals in water polo at the Summer Olympics and the World Aquatics Championships.

Legend

  • Year<sup>*</sup> – As host team

<section end="Olympic and world champions (players)" />

Olympic champion families

The following tables are pre-sorted by year of receiving the Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

Legend

  • Year<sup>*</sup> – As host team

Coach statistics

Most successful coaches

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic gold medals (in descending order), year of winning the last Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), name of the coach (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

There are four coaches who led men's national water polo teams to win two or more Olympic gold medals.

Ratko Rudić is the most successful water polo coach in Olympic history. As a head coach, he led three men's national water polo teams to win four Olympic gold medals. He guided Yugoslavia men's national team to two consecutive gold medals in 1984 and 1988, Italy men's national team to a gold medal in 1992, and Croatia men's national team to a gold medal in 2012, making him the first and only coach to lead three different men's national water polo teams to the Olympic titles.

Dénes Kemény of Hungary is another coach who led men's national water polo team(s) to win three Olympic gold medals. Under his leadership, the Hungary men's national team won three gold in a row between 2000 and 2008, becoming the second water polo team to have an Olympic winning streak.

Béla Rajki coached the Hungary men's national team to two consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1952 and 1956.

Dejan Savić led Serbia men's national team to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2016 and 2021.

Legend

  • Year<sup>*</sup> – As host team

Champions as coach and player

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic gold medals (in descending order), year of winning the last Olympic gold medal (in ascending order), name of the person (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

Only one water polo player won an Olympic gold medal and then guided a men's national water polo team to the Olympic title as a head coach.

Dezső Gyarmati of Hungary won three Olympic gold medals in 1952–1956 and 1964. He coached the Hungary men's national team to a gold in 1976.

Legend

  • Year<sup>*</sup> – As host team

Olympic and world champions (coaches)

<section begin="Olympic and world champions (coaches)" />The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic titles (in descending order), number of world titles (in descending order), year of winning the last gold medal (in ascending order), year of winning the first gold medal (in ascending order), name of the coach (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 September 2021.

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, there are six head coaches who led men's national teams to win gold medals in water polo at the Summer Olympics and the World Aquatics Championships.

Legend

  • Year<sup>*</sup> – As host team

<section end="Olympic and world champions (coaches)" />

Champions by tournament

2020 (Serbia, 2nd title)

<section begin=2020 />* Edition of men's tournament: 28th

  • Host city: Tokyo, Japan
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (2nd title; 3rd place in preliminary B group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2020 (pp.&nbsp;22, 28, 48, 54, 68, 76, 88, 96).

Note: Duško Pijetlović and Gojko Pijetlović are brothers.<br /> Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • Avg min – Average minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • RB – Rebounds
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints

Abbreviation

  • CP – Centre forward position exclusion
  • FP – Field exclusion
  • DS – Driving situation exclusion
  • M6 – Exclusion in 6 metre free throw situation
  • CS – Counter attacking situation exclusion
  • DE – Double exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty foul
  • EX – Exclusions with substitution

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2020 (p.&nbsp;150).<section end=2020 />

2016 (Serbia, 1st title)

<section begin=2016 />* Edition of men's tournament: 27th

  • Host city: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (1st title; 4th place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2016 (pp.&nbsp;9, 21, 37, 53, 65, 75, 83, 91).

Note: Duško Pijetlović and Gojko Pijetlović are brothers.<br /> Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • DE – Double exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2016 (p.&nbsp;131).<section end=2016 />

2012 (Croatia, 1st title)

<section begin=2012 />* Edition of men's tournament: 26th

  • Host city: London, United Kingdom
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (1st title; 1st place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2012 (pp.&nbsp;373, 391, 399, 415, 421, 433, 445, 455).

Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • DE – Double exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2012 (p.&nbsp;471).<section end=2012 />

2008 (Hungary, 9th title)

<section begin=2008 />* Edition of men's tournament: 25th

  • Host city: Beijing, China
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (9th title; 1st place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2008 (pp.&nbsp;84, 92, 94, 104, 106, 156, 168).

Note: Dániel Varga and Dénes Varga are brothers.<br /> Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2008 (p.&nbsp;202).<section end=2008 />

2004 (Hungary, 8th title)

<section begin=2004 />* Edition of men's tournament: 24th

  • Host city: Athens, Greece
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (8th title; 1st place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2004 (pp.&nbsp;93, 101, 105, 109, 116, 164, 173).

Note: Ádám Steinmetz and Barnabás Steinmetz are brothers.<br /> Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2004 (p.&nbsp;207).<section end=2004 />

2000 (Hungary, 7th title)

<section begin=2000 />* Edition of men's tournament: 23rd

  • Host city: Sydney, Australia
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (7th title; 3rd place in preliminary B group)

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2000 (pp.&nbsp;45, 50, 55, 78, 81, 84, 87, 90).

Sources:

Abbreviation

  • MP – Matches played
  • Min – Minutes
  • G – Goals
  • Sh – Shots
  • AS – Assists
  • TF – Turnover fouls
  • ST – Steals
  • BL – Blocked shots
  • SP – Sprints
  • 20S – 20 seconds exclusion
  • Pen – Penalty
  • EX – Exclusion

Source: Official Results Books (PDF): 2000 (pp.&nbsp;45, 50, 55, 78, 81, 84, 87, 90).<section end=2000 />

1996 (Spain, 1st title)

<section begin=1996 />* Edition of men's tournament: 22nd

  • Host city: Atlanta, United States
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (1st title; 3rd place in preliminary A group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1996 (p.&nbsp;57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 70, 71, 73).

Sources:

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1996 (p.&nbsp;57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 70, 71, 73).<section end=1996 />

1992 (Italy, 3rd title)

<section begin=1992 />* Edition of men's tournament: 21st

  • Host city: Barcelona, Spain
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (3rd title; 2nd place in preliminary B group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1992 (pp.&nbsp;391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 399, 400).

Note: Francesco Porzio and Pino Porzio are brothers.<br /> Sources:

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1992 (pp.&nbsp;391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 399, 400).<section end=1992 />

1988 (Yugoslavia, 3rd title)

<section begin=1988 />* Edition of men's tournament: 20th

  • Host city: Seoul, South Korea
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (3rd title; 1st place in preliminary B group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1988 (pp.&nbsp;593, 594, 595, 597).

Sources:

1984 (Yugoslavia, 2nd title)

<section begin=1984 />* Edition of men's tournament: 19th

  • Host city: Los Angeles, United States
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (2nd title; 1st place in preliminary A group; 1st place in final D group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1984 (pp.&nbsp;528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533).

Sources:

1980 (Soviet Union, 2nd title)

<section begin=1980 />* Edition of men's tournament: 18th

  • Host city: Moscow, Soviet Union
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (2nd title; 1st place in preliminary A group; 1st place in final A group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1980 (pp.&nbsp;497, 500, 501, 502).

Sources:

1976 (Hungary, 6th title)

<section begin=1976 />* Edition of men's tournament: 17th

  • Host city: Montreal, Canada
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (6th title; 1st place in preliminary C group; 1st place in final E group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1976 (pp.&nbsp;487, 489, 491, 492).

Sources:

1972 (Soviet Union, 1st title)

<section begin=1972 />* Edition of men's tournament: 16th

  • Host city: Munich, West Germany
  • Number of participating teams: 16
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (1st title; 1st place in preliminary C group; 1st place in final I group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1972 (pp.&nbsp;358, 359, 363, 364, 365).

Sources:

1968 (Yugoslavia, 1st title)

<section begin=1968 />* Edition of men's tournament: 15th

  • Host city: Mexico City, Mexico
  • Number of participating teams: 15
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to classification matches
  • Champion: (1st title; 2nd place in preliminary B group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1968 (pp.&nbsp;812, 814, 816, 817, 819, 822, 824, 826).

Sources:

1964 (Hungary, 5th title)

<section begin=1964 />* Edition of men's tournament: 14th

  • Host city: Tokyo, Japan
  • Number of participating teams: 13
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin semi-final pool; round-robin semi-final pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (5th title; 1st place in preliminary D group; 2nd place in semi-final B group; 1st place in final group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1964 (pp.&nbsp;685, 687, 691, 694, 695, 698).

Sources:

1960 (Italy, 2nd title)

<section begin=1960 />* Edition of men's tournament: 13th

  • Host city: Rome, Italy
  • Number of participating teams: 16
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin semi-final pool; round-robin semi-final pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (2nd title; 1st place in preliminary A group; 1st place in semi-final A group; 1st place in final group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1960 (pp.&nbsp;618, 619, 627, 628, 631).

Sources:

1956 (Hungary, 4th title)

<section begin=1956 />* Edition of men's tournament: 12th

  • Host city: Melbourne, Australia
  • Number of participating teams: 10
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (4th title; 1st place in preliminary B group; 1st place in final group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1956 (pp.&nbsp;625, 626).

Sources:

1952 (Hungary, 3rd title)

<section begin=1952 />* Edition of men's tournament: 11th

  • Host city: Helsinki, Finland
  • Number of participating teams: 21
  • Competition format: Single-elimination tournament qualifying; round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin semi-final pool; round-robin semi-final pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (3rd title; 1st place in preliminary B group; 1st place in semi-final F group; 1st place in final group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1952 (pp.&nbsp;602, 603, 606, 607, 608).

Sources:

1948 (Italy, 1st title)

<section begin=1948 />* Edition of men's tournament: 10th

  • Host city: London, United Kingdom
  • Number of participating teams: 18
  • Competition format: Series of round-robin elimination pools, followed by round-robin semi-final pools, and then round-robin final pools
  • Champion: (1st title; 1st place in round one D group; 1st place in round two I group; 1st place in semi-final L group; 1st place in final group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1948 (pp.&nbsp;643, 645, 646).

Note: Gianfranco Pandolfini and Tullio Pandolfini are brothers.<br /> Sources:

1936 (Hungary, 2nd title)

<section begin=1936 />* Edition of men's tournament: 9th

  • Host city: Berlin, Germany
  • Number of participating teams: 16
  • Competition format: Round-robin pools advanced teams to the round-robin semi-final pool; round-robin semi-final pools advanced teams to the round-robin final pool
  • Champion: (2nd title; 1st place in preliminary II group; 1st place in semi-final I group; 1st place in final group)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1936 (pp.&nbsp;347, 349, 355).

  • Head coach:

Sources:

1932 (Hungary, 1st title)

<section begin=1932 />

  • Edition of men's tournament: 8th
  • Host city: Los Angeles, United States
  • Number of participating teams: 5
  • Competition format: Round-robin tournament
  • Champion: (1st title)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1932 (pp.&nbsp;646, 649, 650).

  • Head coach:

Note: Alajos Keserű and Ferenc Keserű are brothers.<br /> Sources:

1928 (Germany, 1st title)

<section begin=1928 />* Edition of men's tournament: 7th

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1928 (pp.&nbsp;803, 804, 806).

  • Head coach:

Note: Erich Rademacher and Joachim Rademacher are brothers.<br /> Sources:

1924 (France, 1st title)

<section begin=1924 />

  • Edition of men's tournament: 6th
  • Host city: Paris, France
  • Number of participating teams: 13
  • Competition format: Single-elimination tournament; Bergvall system for second- and third-place
  • Champion: (1st title)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1924 (pp.&nbsp;488, 490, 492).

  • Head coach:

Sources:

1920 (Great Britain, 4th title)

<section begin=1920 />* Edition of men's tournament: 5th

  • Host city: Antwerp, Belgium
  • Number of participating teams: 12
  • Competition format: Single-elimination tournament; Bergvall system for second- and third-place
  • Champion: (4th title)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1920 (p.&nbsp;130).

  • Head coach:

Sources:

1912 (Great Britain, 3rd title)

<section begin=1912 />

  • Edition of men's tournament: 4th
  • Host city: Stockholm, Sweden
  • Number of participating teams: 6
  • Competition format: Single-elimination tournament
  • Champion: (3rd title)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1912 (pp.&nbsp;1022, 1024, 1033).

  • Head coach:

Sources:

1908 (Great Britain, 2nd title)

<section begin=1908 />* Edition of men's tournament: 3rd

  • Host city: London, United Kingdom
  • Number of participating teams: 4
  • Competition format: Single-elimination tournament
  • Champion: (2nd title)

Source: Official Reports (PDF): 1908 (pp.&nbsp;360, 361).

  • Head coach:

Sources:

1904 (demonstration program)

  • Edition of men's tournament: 2nd (demonstration program)
  • Host city: St. Louis, United States
  • Number of participating teams: 3 teams from the United States
  • Competition format: Single-elimination tournament
  • Champion: New York Athletic Club

1900 (Great Britain, 1st title)

<section begin=1900 />* Edition of men's tournament: 1st

  • Host city: Paris, France
  • Number of participating teams: 7 teams from 4 countries, including 4 from France
  • Competition format: Single-elimination tournament
  • Champion: Osborne Swimming Club (, 1st title)

Sources:

  • Head coach:

Sources:

See also

Notes

References

Sources

ISHOF

External links