| 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: | (men) (women) |
| Second Other: | (men) (women) |
| Third Other: | (men) (women) |
| Fourth Other: | (men) (women) |
| Matches: | 68 |
| Multiple Appearances: | 6-time Olympian(s): 1 5-time Olympian(s): 2 4-time Olympian(s): 4 |
| Previous: | 1996 |
| Next: | 2004 |
The water polo competition at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia saw Hungary’s return to the gold medal platform and the introduction of the women’s tournament.[1] The Australian women had lobbied the IOC hard for the inclusion of women’s water polo in the Olympics, including showing up at the airport dressed only in their swimsuits during one pre-Olympic visit by members of the IOC.
Six nations competed in the women’s tournament with home team Australia winning the gold medal over the United States. Twelve nations competed in the men’s tournament and played a total of 48 matches. Spain was unable to follow up their 1996 gold medal performance with a medal. Hungary defeated Russia for the gold medal. The matches were held at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre and the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre.[2]
| Events | Dates | Hosts | Quotas | Qualified Teams | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host Country | 24 September 1993 | Monte Carlo | 1 | ||
| 1999 World Cup | 28 September - 3 October 1999 | Sydney | 3 | ||
| 1999 Pan American Games | 23-30 July 1999 | Winnipeg | 1 | ||
| 1999 European Championship | 2-11 September 1999 | Firenze | 1 | ||
| 2000 Asian Championship | 28 March - 2 April 2000 | Busan | 1 | ||
| Men's Olympic Water Polo Qualifying Tournament | 6-14 May 2000 | Hannover | 5 | ||
| Total | 12 | ||||
| Events | Dates | Hosts | Quotas | Qualified Teams | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host Country | 24 September 1993 | Monte Carlo | 1 | |||
| 1999 World Cup | Europe | 24-29 May 1999 | Winnipeg | 1 | ||
| Americas | 1 | |||||
| Women's Olympic Water Polo Qualifying Tournament | World | 22-30 April 2000 | Palermo | 2 | ||
| Asia/Africa/Oceania | 1 | |||||
| Total | 6 | |||||