In a landmark decision, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has approved the expansion of the Women’s Water Polo Tournament to 12 teams for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, achieving gender parity with the men’s competition.
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam hailed this development as a historic milestone for the sport, stating, “Expanding the Olympic tournament to 12 teams not only ensures gender parity but also reflects the sport’s remarkable growth and global reach. We look forward to an incredible competition in Los Angeles.”
Women’s water polo made its Olympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Games with six teams. The field expanded to eight teams at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and to ten teams for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The upcoming expansion to 12 teams at LA28 underscores the sport’s increasing competitiveness and global appeal.
This decision aligns with broader efforts to promote gender equality across the Olympic program. Notably, the LA28 Games will mark the first time that women’s athlete quota spots (5,655) will outnumber men’s (5,543), reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for female athletes.
The expansion of the women’s water polo tournament is part of a series of enhancements approved by the IOC to modernize the Games and promote gender parity. Other additions include the introduction of mixed-gender events in artistic gymnastics and golf, as well as new sprint swimming events.
These developments signify a progressive shift towards greater inclusivity and recognition of women’s sports on the Olympic stage.
