Women's football only made its debut at the 1996 Atlanta Games with China PR and Japan representing Asia. 

Japan struggled to make an impact, exiting the tournament after three defeats in the group stage.

China PR, however, took the tournament by storm as they reinforced their credentials as one of the strongest teams in the world at that time by topping their group with two wins and a draw. 

Goals from Shi Guihong and Zhao Lihong steered them to a 2-0 win over Sweden, which was then followed by a 5-1 defeat of Denmark.

Having sealed their semi-final spots with a match to spare, China PR and the United States then played to a goalless stalemate, with the East Asian side finishing top on goal difference. 

That set up a semi-final against Brazil and it proved to be a thriller.

Sun Qingmei put China PR ahead with a fifth minute strike, only for Brazil to roar back through goals from Roseli de Belo (67th) and Pretinha (72nd). 

China PR refused to concede defeat, with Wai Haiying emerging their star with goals in the 83rd and 90th minutes.

That meant a rematch with the United States, who had edged Norway 2-1 after 120 minutes, and the final turned out to be an even affair.

Shannon Macmillan put the Americans ahead in the 19th minute but Sun Wen drew China PR level 13 minutes later.

Tiffeny Milbrett's 68th minute strike, however, meant the gold was won by the hosts but China PR walked tall after a magnificent campaign. 

China PR couldn't replicate their heroics of four years earlier at the Sydney 2000 Games, with Asia's sole representative exiting after the group stage.

The tournament was expanded to 10 teams for the 2004 Athens Olympics, with China PR and Japan taking the Asian slots.

It was another early exit for China PR, who ended their Group F campaign with just a point while Japan advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. 

The Nadeshiko couldn't find a way past the United States in their quarter-final tie, with the Americans edging the tie 2-1 before going on to win the gold medal for the second time in three editions.

The Beijing Games saw the tournament contested by 12 teams, with hosts China PR joined by Japan and debutants DPR Korea.

DPR Korea's opening 1-0 win over Nigeria was followed by defeats to Brazil (2-1) and Germany, which meant an early exit. 

Japan advanced as one of the best third-placed teams while an exciting China PR topped their group with seven points to set up an all Asian quarter-final. 

Homare Sawa's 15th minute opener set Japan on course and their place in the semi-finals was confirmed by Yuki Nagasoto's 80th minute goal. 

Shinobu Ohno sparked hopes of an upset against the United States with her 16th minute goal but the defending champions roared back to lead 4-1 with Eriko Arakawa scoring a stoppage time consolation.

Japan were to suffer more heartbreak in the bronze medal playoff, with Germany finishing third after a 2-0 win.

Having won the FIFA Women's World Cup a year earlier, Japan went into the 2010 London Olympics as among the favourites and they lived up to their billing.

They finished second behind Sweden in the group stage, with both teams tied on five points after playing to a goalless draw. 

Brazil awaited them in the quarter-finals but Japan showed their pedigree with goals from Yuki Ogimi and Shinobu Ohno sealing them a comfortable win.

Ogimi was again on target in the semi-final against France, opening the scoring in the 32nd minute with Mizuho Sakaguchi widening the advantage four minutes into the second half.

France pulled one back in the 76th minute but Japan held on to set up a final against the United States in a rematch of the FIFA Women's World Cup final a year earlier. 

The Americans, however, dictated terms from the start with a Carli Lloyd brace giving them a healthy advantage.

Ogimi scored for the third game in a row but it wasn't enough as Japan took the silver medal.

Japan surprisingly failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics with Australia and China PR taking the two Asian tickets.

Both advanced to the quarter-finals, China PR qualifying as the Group A runners-up behind Brazil while Australia booked their ticket as one of the best two third-placed sides. 

Both suffered heartbreaks, with China PR edged 1-0 by eventual gold medallists Germany while Australia fell 7-6 to Brazil in a penalty shootout after the match ended goalless.

Having missed the previous edition, Japan were back for the Games on home soil but it proved to be a tough campaign, with the Nadeshiko only advancing to the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed sides.

Australia also advanced via the same route while China PR's campaign ended in the group stage. 

A rampant Sweden ended Japan's hopes of winning a medal on home soil with a 3-1 win in their quarter-final tie.

Australia, however, served up a drama in their tie against Great Britain, winning 4-3 in extra-time.

Sweden dashed the Matildas' hopes of playing in the final, with Fridolina Rolfo's goal separating the sides as the Australians moved into the bronze medal playoff against the United States.

It was a thrilling contest with the Americans holding a slight edge, which ultimately proved the difference as they sealed a 4-3 win.