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. 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.
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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.
Women matches were held in Ryde Leisure Aquatic Centre and men and women finals were held in Sydney International Aquatic Centre.
Men's medallists
Participants: Russia, Italy, Spain, Australia, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Fmr Yugoslavia, Croatia, Hungary, USA, Netherlands and Greece.