At which Summer Olympics did basketball become an official medal sport?

Basketball became an official medal sport at the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics.

Basketball had appeared as a demonstration sport at St. Louis 1904, but it did not receive official medal-sport status until Berlin 1936. The tournament was played outdoors on a tennis court, and rain made the surface muddy during the final. The United States defeated Canada 19–8 to win the first Olympic men’s basketball gold medal.

The low score reflects the conditions and the era’s style of play. Basketball rules and equipment were also different from those used in modern Olympic arenas. James Naismith, the sport’s inventor, attended the 1936 Games and presented the medals.

The women’s Olympic basketball tournament began much later, at Montreal 1976. Professional players were eventually admitted to the men’s tournament, beginning with Barcelona 1992, when the famous United States “Dream Team” competed.