Olympic Water Polo competition: Drawing of lots completed

Scene of the drawing of lotsPhoto Gallery>>Outcome of drawing of lots for the Water Polo competition

(BEIJING, March 22) -- The results of the drawing of lots for the 12 men's and eight women's water polo teams competing in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Water Polo events were released on Saturday.

The drawing for the women's competition, held first, assigned the United States, Russia, Italy and China to Group A; Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands and Australia will contend in Group B.

In the men's competition, Spain, Australia, Hungary, Montenegro, Greece and Canada will compete in Group A, while Serbia ('07 FINA World League champion), Croatia (World champion), the United States (Pan American champion), China, Italy and Germany will clash in Group B.

Officials from BOCOG, FINA (the international governing body for water polo) and the Chinese Swimming Association attended the ceremony for the drawing of lots at the Swissotel Beijing Hong Kong Macau Center.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Water Polo events will take place from August 10 to 24 at the Ying Tung Natatorium in the Olympic Sports Center.