Cuba won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics baseball tournament, the second and last time the event was restricted to amateur players.
Key Facts
- Competing nations
- 8
- Venue
- Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
- Tournament format
- Round-robin followed by playoffs
- Cuba's record
- Undefeated throughout the tournament
- Amateur restriction
- Second and last time event was amateur-only
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Baseball had been added as an official Olympic medal sport beginning in 1992, and the 1996 Atlanta Games continued the rule restricting participation to amateur players. Cuba's state-funded program blurred the amateur distinction, as players were amateurs in name only while receiving full government support.
Eight nations competed in a round-robin preliminary phase at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, with the top four advancing to semifinals and then medal matches. Cuba went undefeated across the entire tournament to claim the gold medal, with the silver and bronze awarded through the remaining playoff matches.
The 1996 tournament marked the last time Olympic baseball was held under an amateur-only rule. The event highlighted the inconsistency of the amateur framework, particularly regarding state-sponsored programs, contributing to policy changes for future Olympic baseball competitions.
Result
at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium