Basketball at the Summer Olympics
History
Basketball was first introduced to the Olympic Games in 1936, following its inclusion in the 1904 St. Louis Games as a demonstration sport. The sport was officially recognized by the IOC in 1936, with the first men's tournament taking place in Berlin, Germany. The women's tournament was introduced later, in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Men's Tournament
The first men's basketball tournament at the Olympics featured 23 teams and was won by the United States. The tournament has been dominated by the U.S. men's team who have won 15 of the 19 tournaments they have participated in. Other successful nations include the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Argentina.
Women's Tournament
The first women's basketball tournament at the Olympics took place in 1976, with six teams participating. The tournament has been dominated by the U.S. women's team, who have won 8 of the 11 tournaments they have participated in. Other successful nations include the Soviet Union and Australia.
Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations of basketball at the Olympics are governed by the FIBA. The games are played under FIBA rules, with some modifications for the Olympics. For example, games are played in four 10-minute quarters, rather than the 12-minute quarters used in the NBA.
Notable Moments
Basketball at the Olympics has seen many notable moments and performances. These include the U.S. men's "Dream Team" in 1992, which featured NBA stars such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. Other notable moments include the U.S. women's team's undefeated run in 1996, and Argentina's surprise gold medal in 2004.
