Which nations have Olympic pedigree and who's chasing WOQT history?

MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2024 will soon be landing and as we wait for dreams being made and shattered, we take a look back at each nation's Olympic Games record.

 

 

Some are ready to further strengthen their already impressive Olympic records, while others are new kids on the block and out to make history.

Australia 

Appearances: 9 - 1984  (5th); 1988 (4th); 1996 (3rd); 2000 (2nd); 2004 (2nd); 2008 (2nd); 2012 (3rd) 2016 (5th) 2020 (8th)
Medals: 5 -🥈(2000, 2004, 2008) 🥉(1996, 2012)

With the joint second highest participation's of those nations involved in this year's WOQT's, it would be special if the Opals could reach double-digits in appearances at the Olympics. Especially after falling below the expected standards at Tokyo 2020. Their last medal came in 2012 when they captured bronze at an event when Liz Cambage made the headlines in gold and green for her famous dunk. 

Belgium 

Appearances: 1 - 2020 (7th)
Medals: 0

There was such huge expectation on the Cats heading to Tokyo 2020 for their maiden appearance and yet it ended in tears as they had to settle for a 7th placed finish. They played in one of the best games in women's basketball history against Japan in the Quarter-Finals and this time around, if they get to their second Games, they will arrive as the reigning FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 champions - and with even higher expectations than last time!

Brazil 

Appearances: 7 - 1992 (7th); 1996 (2nd); 2000 (3rd); 2004 (4th); 2008 (11th); 2012 (9th); 2016 (11th); 
Medals: 2 -🥈(1996) 🥉(2000)

After missing out on Tokyo 2020, Brazil are looking to return for the first time since they were hosts for Rio 2016 when they finished a disappointing 11th. The last time they successfully qualified through playing was 12 years ago, but they do have a strong tradition with not only an eye-catching 7 participation's - but also having made the Final in 1996 with legends like Hortencia, 'Magic' Paula and Janeth Arcain in their line-up. Also scooping bronze in 2000. 

Canada 

Appearances: 7 - 1976 (6th); 1984 (4th); 1996 (11th); 2000 (10th); 2012 (8th); 2016 (7th); 2020 (9th)
Medals: 0

Canada hosted the first ever Games back in 1976 in Montreal - although it was a bitter-sweet experience after not managing to take a win.  They are currently bidding to make their 8th edition and fourth in a row - something they have never done previously. Their best finish was in 1984 when they made the Semi-Finals and last time out in Tokyo 2020 it felt like they missed an opportunity after not reaching the Quarter-Finals as expected  before the event.  

China 

Appearances: 9 - 1984 (3rd); 1988 (6th); 1992 (2nd); 1996 (9th); 2004 (9th); 2008 (4th); 2012  (6th); 2016 (10th); 2020 (5th)
Medals: 2 -🥈(1992) 🥉(1984)

It's exactly 40 years since China won their last medal and could this be the year they get back onto the podium? Certainly two medals in their first three participation's was a great return and they have come close at other times - most notably as host nation in Beijing during 2008. Like Australia, they have visited the Olympic Games on 9 previous occasions and to do it again would take them past that very satisfying and impressive landmark of double-figures. 

France 

Appearances: 4 - 2000 (5th); 2012 (2nd); 2016 (4th); 2020 (3rd)
Medals: 2 - 🥈(2012) 🥉(2020)

France will make it appearance number five when they host this year's Games and they head into the 2024 edition having stood on the third podium step at Tokyo 2020. Although that was not their greatest Olympic hour, since that came during 2012 when they made the title game in London for the first time. Two medals in four appearances is a positive return and they will be going all out on home soil to try and make it three medals in five participation's.

Germany 

Appearances: 0
Medals: 0

This would be a sensational time for Germany to seal their first appearance at the Olympics because not only of the achievement it would be in itself, but because it would fuel the momentum they currently have. Announced as hosts of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, coming off the back of an impressive FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. They also have so many relatively young ballers and talents in Leonie Fiebich, Satou Sabally and Nyara Sabally.

Hungary 

Appearances: 1 - 1980 (4th)
Medals:  0

With one previous appearance to their name, the stepping out for Moscow 1980 is a reminder to the older Hungarian fans that their nation used to punch hard on the international scene. Indeed they took a top four finish on Russian soil and some 44 years later they are chasing a second appearance. They will have home advantage in the WOQT's, but as most people have flagged already - it looks and feels like the dreaded 'Group of Death.'

Japan 

Appearances: 5 - 1976 (5th); 1996 (7th); 2004 (10th); 2016 (8th); 2020 (2nd)
Medals: 1 -🥈(2020)

One of the original Olympians in 1976 when they took to the court in Montreal, Japan's proudest moment was surpassed at the last edition when they hosted. What happened at Tokyo 2020 was fairytale stuff on the court as they made the Semi-Finals for the first time, then history with an appearance in the title game itself to eventually pick up a first medal. They wowed everyone with their style of basketball and it will never be forgotten. 

New Zealand 

Appearances: 3 - 2000 (11th); 2004 (8th) 2008 (10th)
Medals: 0

The Tall Ferns are hunting a fourth participation after a long wait of 16 years since their last appearance in Beijing. They made three editions in a row during a boom time for the team between their 2000 debut and 2008. Now very much the the underdogs, if they can make it out of the WOQT's this time, it will be interesting to see how they get on. They won one game in their first and last appearance and won twice when reaching the Quarter-Finals in 2004.

Nigeria 

Appearances: 2 - 2004 (11th), 2020 (11th)
Medals: 0

Having seen other African nations punch tickets previously for the Olympics, that badge of honor was something Nigeria adopted in 2004. Then after a long wait, it finally happened again for them as they got their spot for Tokyo 2020. And, while the African champs struggled on the court and finished one off the bottom, that was not a surprise in a nightmare group with all three podium teams. A return in 2024 might see them able to improve on that 11th place.

Puerto Rico 

Appearances: 1 - 2020 (12th)
Medals: 0

It was a special moment for everyone connected not only basketball in Puerto Rico but for the whole island when the women lined up at the Olympics for the first time at Tokyo 2020. While this was a massive honor they arguably didn't do themselves justice as they finished in last place. Since then, they have shown what is possible on a global stage at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022, so will have to be respected as they seek consecutive Olympic spots.

Senegal 

Appearances: 2 - 2000 (12th); 2016 (12th)
Medals: 0

Senegal are looking forward to the possibility of making it three Olympic appearances and if they do manage to make it, they would also have the target of not finishing in last place - as was the case on their two past trips to the Games. Indeed they would be gunning to take a historic first victory if they get to this year's edition. They might have what will almost be a winner-takes-all 'Final' at the WOQT in Antwerp with fellow African side, Nigeria.

Serbia 

Appearances: 2 - 2016 (3rd); 2020 (4th)
Medals: 1 -🥉(2016)

Having never appeared at the Olympics previously, Serbia find themselves potentially ready to make it three participation's in a row! Their debut at Rio 2016 was epic as they followed up their first FIBA Women's EuroBasket title a year earlier with a first Olympics outing and made it even more special with a maiden medal as they took bronze. Last time out at Tokyo 2020 they almost repeated the feat but just missed out and finished 4th.

Spain 

Appearances: 5- 1992 (5th); 2004 (6th); 2008 (5th); 2016 (2nd); 2020 (6th)
Medals: 🥈(2016) 

No doubt stung at missing the last major global event - the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 - Spain will be ready to come roaring back onto the big stage again. If they do manage to make it, then they would bag their sixth appearance and could not be ruled out potentially making a tilt at the podium and searching for a second ever medal. At Rio 2016 they famously made history with a maiden Final appearance. 

USA 

Appearances: 11 - 1976 (2nd); 1984 (1st); 1988 (1st); 1992 (3rd); 1996 (1st); 2000 (1st); 2004 (1st); 2008 (1st); 2012 (1st), 2016 (1st); 2020 (1st)
Medals: 11 -🥇(1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)🥈(1976) 🥉(1992)

There's no argument that it's a case of saving the best until last and the magnificent USA who have won a medal at every edition they have appeared - only twice not being crowned champions. They won their 9th gold medal at Tokyo 2020 and it is quite a prospect that they could hit double-digits in Olympic golds if they make it all the way in Paris. That would also come off the back of double-figure titles in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Staggering!

FIBA