ACOG - Sports - IBM

Olympic Sports Qualifications

Archery

Based on 1995 World Championships, various continental championships in 1995, and wild card selections. All archers must meet minimum FITA scores.

Athletics

To qualify two or three athletes per event, a country's athletes must meet "A" qualifying standards. To qualify one athlete per event, he/she must meet a lesser "B" standard. Countries may enter one man and one woman in any single event except decathlon/heptathlon regardless of qualifying times.

Badminton

Athletes qualify based on the 1 APR 1996 IBF ranking list. Wild cards will be chosen if necessary.

Baseball

Five worldwide qualification tournaments. USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Basketball

Gold medalists, and teams finishing second through seventh for men, and second through sixth for women, at the 1994 World Championships. Additional zone qualifiers.

Boxing

Regional and continental competitions will place between 20 to 32 competitors per weight class. USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Canoe/Kayak-Slalom

Based on 1995 World Championships, and a second Olympic qualifying event in the spring of 1996.

Canoe/Kayak-Sprint

Based on 1995 World Championships and various continental championships.

Cycling-Mountain Bike

Based on 1995 World Championships, various continental championships in 1995, and wild card sections.

Cycling-Road

Based on 1995 Amateur World Championships and wild cards.

Cycling-Track

Based on 1995 World Championships, Bogota, Colombia, October 1995, wild cards, and various continental championships in 1995.

Diving

Each FINA-member nation may enter two athletes in each event.

Equestrian

Eligibility based on minimum qualification standards and performance within two years prior to the Games.

Fencing

Teams qualified by being one of the seven top countries at the 1995 World Championships, or by regional/continental zone. USA automatically qualified as host country. Individuals qualified by being on of the three fencers on one of the eight teams already qualified by World Cup rankings (top 16), or by continental zone.

Football

Women qualified based on results of 1995 World Cup in Sweden. Men qualify based on selected tournaments in early 1996. Host team automatically qualifies.

Gymnastics-Artistic

Based on 1995 World Championships, Sabae, Japan, October 1995. Wild cards named DEC 1995.

Gymnastics-Rhythmic

The top 35 gymnasts and the top seven groups from the 1995 World Championships have qualified. Five individual wild cards were chosen in DEC 1995. The group from the host country (USA) automatically qualifies.

Handball

Men: The first seven-placed teams from the 1995 World Championships, and four continental qualifiers.

Women: The top four teams from the 1995 World Championships, and four continental qualifiers.

USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Hockey

Men: Continental qualifiers and the top five countries from the qualifying tournament.

Women: Winner of 8th World Cup; winner of the 1992 Olympic Games; the top five countries from the qualifying tournament.

USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Judo

Competitors qualify based on finish at the World Championships and representation for each of the five continental unions.

Modern Pentathlon

Competitors must have achieved the minimum score of 5,100 points in a qualifying competition and be one of the top two athletes from his country.

USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Rowing

Based on 1995 World Championships and other 1995 qualifying regattas.

Shooting

Individual athletes must shoot a minimum qualifying score in a world championship, world cup or continental championship.

Softball

Based on IX World Championships and other 1995 qualifying tournaments

USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Swimming

For a country to qualify two simmers per event, both must meet "A" qualifying times. To qualify one per event, he/she must met a slower "B" standard, and no country may enter more than 26 men and 26 women. Countries may enter one man and one woman regardless of qualifying times.

Synchronized Swimming

The top eight teams at the NationsBank Synchronized Swimming World Cup, held in August 1995, qualified for the Games.

Table Tennis

Participants are selected by world rankings and zone trials. USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Tennis

Based on world rankings as of 29 APR 1996. USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Volleyball

Based on '95 World Cup (top three teams) and winners of qualifying tournaments. USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Volleyball-Beach

Based on the 1996 World Championships, in February 1996. Host country automatically qualifies three teams.

Water Polo

Teams qualify based on their finish at the IX Water Polo World Cup in September 1995, or at the Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament. The host country automatically qualifies.

Weightlifting

Top 34 nations from the 1995 World Championships qualify 3-10 athletes each, depending on each country's final ranking.

Wrestling

Nations qualify based on results of the 1996 continental championships. USA automatically qualifies as host country.

Yachting

Qualification system is currently being reviewed by the International Yacht Racing Union. For each class, a maximum number will qualify.



Olympic Factoid
Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.