What is the origin of water polo in the Olympic Games?

Born in the 1860s in the United Kingdom, water polo has experienced two distinct developments, one European and the other American. The first, less violent than its American version, has established itself as the universal formula. After its codification in England, water polo experienced its first international match between the English and the Scots, as a symbol of its British origins. And it was in 1900 in Paris that this water sport became an Olympic discipline for men, a century later women joined this game in 2000 in Sydney.

Who are the best polo players?

The last editions were marked by the victories of Serbia, double men's champion, and the United States, triple women's champion. Present only since the 21st century, the women's tournament has had 4 different winners, first Australia, Italy and the Netherlands, before the American hegemony in 2012, 2016 and 2021. Among the men's teams it is different, and history is made up of eras . The United Kingdom won the first three inter-nation events (1908, 1912, 1920). Then came the supremacy of the Eastern European countries, with Hungary (the most successful country in the history of the games) crowning 9 times between 1932 and 2008 out of 18 possible gold medals. This domination was accompanied by Soviet (2) and Yugoslav (3) successes.

Note that no non-European team won gold. This summer France will be directed by Thomas Vernoux “Mbappé of water polo »after their historic semifinal at the 2024 World Cup in Qatar. In their role as losers, the Blues are in their best position in 100 years and with a victory in the 1924 Olympic Games… in Paris.

What are the rules of water polo?

In 7 against 7 in a pool of 30x20m for men and 25×20 meters for women, polo players compete for 4 periods of 8 minutes. Field players can only touch the ball with one hand, and must try to score during possession phases of a maximum of 30 seconds in water polo, all shots are allowed to the ball carrier; This summer 12 men's and 10 women's nations are participating. The Olympic tournaments are first played in a two-group phase made up of 6 men's and 5 women's teams. At the end of this first round, the top 4 in each group qualify for the quarterfinals, and begin the path to the gold medal.

water polo vocabulary

Publications

• the companion : two in total, they occupy the sides of the field and have offensive and defensive tasks. They move the ball up and can sometimes find themselves in shooting positions.
• There is : Located in the middle, they have defensive responsibilities like the wingers, but can be found in defensive positions. “shoot” very open. His main role remains to feed the team.
• the counterpoint : the last bulwark before the goalkeeper, the counterpoint is the team's antipoint and must neutralize it at all costs.
• The goalkeeper : The goalkeeper is, as his name suggests, the one who protects the goal, but in water polo he sometimes joins the offensive phases. He is also the only one who can touch the ball with both hands.
• Tip : At the end of the system is the striker, responsible for scoring and who fights without much visibility to try to find the foul. In short, it's about the attacker.

The few basic gestures.

• The Pole Crawl : This is the action of swimming and moving forward with the ball in one hand and the head out of the water.
• the piston : fast, technical wrist shot while the ball is still in contact with the water.
• Back : basic leg technique that allows you to stay vertical in the water.

Key dates to remember from the Olympic Games

From July 27 to August 11, the men's and women's water polo events will take place, with women opening the ball. The two separate tournaments alternate a day later to allow teams a recovery day. Therefore, the first rounds will begin on July 27 and 28, until August 4 and 5 at Olympic Aquatic Center Located next to the Stade de France. Then, from August 6 to 11, the final phase will be held, also in Saint-Denis. In conclusion, the women's final on Saturday the 10th and the men's final on Sunday the 11th, which will be played at the Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre.