MIES (Switzerland) – On a summer morning in Montreal, on July 19, 1976, history finally entered the arena. As the first-ever Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament tipped off, it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the sport’s history.
The milestone was the culmination of decades of growth, driven by pioneering athletes, expanding international competitions, and the determination of basketball leaders to secure a place for the women’s game on sport’s biggest stage.
50 years later, women’s basketball stands as one of the Olympic Movement’s great success stories. From its modest beginnings as a six-team competition, the tournament has evolved into one of the Games’ most anticipated events, attracting world-class athletes, record-breaking crowds and a global audience that continues to grow.
The journey to Montreal began long before 1976. Women embraced basketball almost immediately after the sport’s invention in 1891, with Senda Berenson introducing an adapted version of the game at Smith College in 1892 and organizing the first women’s basketball contest in 1893.
As women’s basketball continued to gain momentum around the world, international competitions became increasingly important in its development. The inaugural FIBA Women’s EuroBasket in 1938 represented a major breakthrough for the international game, while the launch of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Chile in 1953 provided a global stage for the sport’s leading nations. Together, these landmark competitions helped accelerate the growth of women’s basketball and strengthened the foundations for its eventual inclusion in the Olympics.
After years of discussions between FIBA and the International Olympic Committee, approval was finally secured for Montreal 1976, and the Olympic debut proved a landmark moment.
On July 19, 1976, Japan defeated the United States 84–71 in the first game of the tournament, while American center Lusia Harris scored the first points in women’s Olympic basketball history. The Soviet Union, led by FIBA Hall of Famer Uljana Semjonova, went on to win the inaugural gold medal, ahead of the United States and Bulgaria, writing the opening chapter of a competition that would continue to grow in stature with every edition.
As the game expanded globally, so too did the Olympic competition. The tournament grew from six teams to eight at Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992 before reaching another significant milestone at Atlanta 1996, when the women’s event increased to 12 teams, matching the men’s Olympic tournament for the first time. The decision reflected both the rising standard of women’s basketball and its increasing international reach.
The Olympic stage has since showcased some of the most remarkable careers in basketball history. Teresa Edwards became the first player to compete in five Olympic Games, winning four gold medals and one bronze, while Australia’s Lauren Jackson established herself as the all-time leading scorer in women’s Olympic basketball.
Diana Taurasi from the USA made history at Paris 2024 by becoming the first basketball player to win six Olympic gold medals.
Paris 2024 also demonstrated how far the tournament has progressed as a global spectacle. Group-stage games in Lille attracted an average attendance of over 22,000 spectators, underlining the growing popularity and visibility of women’s basketball.
What began in Montreal as a pioneering six-team event has evolved into one of the Olympic Games’ premier competitions.
As women’s Olympic basketball celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable journey. From the first organized women’s games in the 1890s to packed arenas and global superstars in the 21st century, the tournament’s history mirrors the extraordinary development of the sport itself.
It is a story shaped by pioneering players, visionary administrators and generations of athletes whose achievements transformed women’s basketball into the global force it is today. Looking ahead to Los Angeles 2028, the next chapter of this remarkable story is already waiting to be written.
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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports, particularly basketball, in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
FIBA’s Cultural Heritage is the heart of the FIBA Foundation’s cultural and historical activities. It is one of the driving forces behind the promotion and dissemination of FIBA’s values.