Physical and technical-tactical demands in women's 3 × 3 basketball: Comparisons between medalists and non-medalists across competition phases at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

3 × 3 basketball was introduced in the Olympic Games at the Tokyo 2020 edition. Due to this inclusion, understanding variables associated with medal achievement in these competitions may contribute to greater competitive success. Therefore, this study aimed to perform time-motion analyses of the actions carried out by female athletes during official 3 × 3 basketball matches at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This study is characterized as a cross-sectional observational study, using data obtained from video analysis of 34 matches. The variables were categorized into movement patterns and technical-tactical actions, considering the number of occurrences, as well as the mean and total duration of execution of each action. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to compare medalist and non-medalist athletes and competition phases, accounting for repeated observations within athletes across matches. Significant effects were assessed using Wald chi-square tests, with Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons when appropriate. Inferential analysis revealed that medalists performed more jogging/running actions and successful passes, whereas non-medalists spent more time in lateral movement. Regarding the competition phase, the group stage was characterized by a greater number of standing/walking, jogging/running actions, and successful passes, as well as greater total time spent in lateral movement and defensive position. In contrast, the knockout stage was characterized by a greater number of sprints, isometric strength actions, screens, and greater time devoted to these actions. The mean duration of movements such as jogging and lateral movement was also higher in the knockout stage. These findings help to understand the demands of the sport in an Olympic competition.