Men's Basketball at the Olympics: A History of Excellence
From Demonstration Sport to Medal Event
Basketball has been an integral part of the Summer Olympics for men since its inception in 1936. Prior to its inclusion as a medal sport, basketball was held as an exhibition event in 1904 and 1908.
The Early Years
In its early years, basketball was primarily dominated by the United States. The Americans won the first four gold medals in the sport, from 1936 to 1952. However, other countries began to emerge as contenders in the following decades.
Global Dominance
The 1960s marked a turning point in Olympic basketball, as the Soviet Union emerged as a major force. The Soviets won three consecutive gold medals from 1968 to 1988, and they remained a dominant team throughout the Cold War era.
Modern Era
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States has once again regained its status as the top basketball nation in the world. The Americans have won the last four gold medals in the sport, from 2000 to 2020.
Recent News and Highlights
Here are some recent news and highlights from the world of men's Olympic basketball:
- The official website of the Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament: Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament
- The official page of Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024: Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024
- Watch live matches, get updates, and explore player profiles and stats for the Paris 2024 Olympics: Paris 2024 Olympics Live
- Official Paris 2024 Olympics schedule and results for Basketball: Paris 2024 Olympics Basketball Schedule and Results
- Watch all the Paris 2024 action LIVE: Paris 2024 Olympics Live
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