The Australian Women’s basketball team – nicknamed the Opals – will once again be competing at the Olympics in Paris next month.

The Opals are currently ranked third in the world, behind only the USA and China, and will be hoping to have a strong showing in Paris.

The Sporting News looks back at how the Opals have fared in the Olympic Games.

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When did the Opals first compete at the Olympics?

Whilst women’s basketball first appeared at the games in 1976, it wasn’t until 1984 in Los Angeles that Australia was able to qualify.

And even then, they were only drafted in as a late replacement for the Soviet Union, who boycotted the games.

It was a tough tournament for Australia, as they only won one of their five games to finish outside of the top four places.

Their sole win came in their final game against Yugoslavia, where they won by three points.

Opals history, record at the Olympics

Since 1984, the Opals have only failed to qualify once for the games – in 1992 – appearing in eight games’ since.

They improved in 1988 in Seoul, reaching the semi-finals but losing in the bronze medal match against the Soviet Union.

They would have their best period between 1996 and 2012, where they won medals at five Olympics campaigns in a row.

They have experienced less success at the last two Olympics, falling in the quarter-finals in both 2016 and at Tokyo 2020.

Opals best finish at the Olympics

The Opals has their golden age during the beginning of the 21st century, where they reached three Olympic finals in a row, beginning in 2000 on home soil in Sydney.

Each time, it ended in heartbreak, as they lost to the USA each time, having to be content with the silver medal.

Whilst they were well defeated in 2000, they only lost by 11 points in 2008.

Opals 2024 Olympics schedule, draw

The Opals have not been handed an easy draw at the Olympics, coming up against Canada, host nation France and Nigeria in Group B.

They play against Nigeria on 29th July at 7 p.m. AEST, before playing against Canada on 1st August at 9:30 p.m. AEST.

Their final group stage match against France will be played at 5 a.m. AEST.

To progress to the quarter-finals, Australia must finish as one of the top two teams in the group.

They also medalled in 1996 and 2012, on those occasions defeating the Ukraine and Russia in the bronze medal match respectively.