FINA and the IOC have confirmed the Qualification System for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
As for the water polo tournaments, there are no significant changes compared to Tokyo. Twelve male and ten female teams will take part in the Olympic tournament. Last year, the teams played with 12-player rosters too, but each team was allowed to come with 13 players, and the coaches could change their teams from game to game. According to the announced system, the teams will play with 12-player rosters, but each team can enter an “Alternate athlete”. Alternate athletes could become competing athletes only under the conditions outlined in the IOC/Paris 2024 Late Athlete Replacement policy, FINA says..
But, there will be considerable changes in the qualification process. Unlike the several previous Olympiads, the World League won’t be a qualification competition for the Paris Games. Besides, the Intercontinental Olympic Qualification Tournaments won’t be held.
All Olympic visas will be allocated at the two World Championships – in Fukuoka next year and in Doha, in 2024 and in the continental competitions This decision might be surprising. But, it never happened until now that the World Championships were held both n the Olympic year and in the preceding year.
Men
-Host France is directly qualified. – 1 team
-20th FINA World Championships, Fukuoka (July 2023) – 2 teams
The two (2) highest placed national teams will qualify for Paris
-Continental Qualification – 5 teams
The highest placing team in each of the five (5) Continental Championships will each obtain one (1) quota place. Should any of these NOCs have already obtained a quota place at the 20th World Championships in Fukuoka, then the next highest placed national team will secure its Olympic visa.
If any of the Continental Championships do not take place, the next highest placing team from that respective Continent at the 21st FINA World Championships in Doha will obtain a quota place.
If there is only one (1) representative from a specific continent, this National Olympic Committee will obtain a quota place.
-21st FINA World Championships, Doha (February 2024) – 4 teams
The four (4) highest placed teams of the non-qualified teams at the 21st FINA World Championships Doha 2024 will earn the Olympic berths.
Women
The qualification system for ladies is almost the same until the Doha Championships. But, only two quotas will be available in Doha.
-Host France is directly qualified. – 1 team
-20th FINA World Championships, Fukuoka (July 2023) – 2 teams
The two (2) highest placed national teams will qualify for Paris
-Continental Qualification – 5 teams
The highest placing team in each of the five (5) Continental Championships will each obtain one (1) quota place. Should any of these NOCs have already obtained a quota place at the 20th World Championships in Fukuoka, then the next highest placed national team will secure its Olympic visa.
If any of the Continental Championships do not take place, the next highest placing team from that respective Continent at the 21st FINA World Championships in Doha will obtain a quota place.
If there is only one (1) representative from a specific continent, this National Olympic Committee will obtain a quota place.
-21st FINA World Championships, Doha (February 2024) – 2 teams
The two (2) highest placed teams of the non-qualified teams at the 21st FINA World Championships Doha 2024 will earn the Olympic berths.
