21. Missouri Water Polo -- History A Short history of St. Louis water polo By Wally Lundt. The game of water polo receivedworldwide sanction as an olympic event at the 1904 World’s Fair here http://www.mowaterpolo.com/mohistory.html

A Short History of St. Louis Water Polo By Wally Lundt The game of Water Polo received world-wide sanction as an Olympic event at the 1904 World’s Fair here in St. Louis. This combination of a World’s Fair and the Olympics drew athletes from around the world who came to participate in the usual Olympic individual events. Water Polo was the first team sport ever played in the Olympics. It was played in a muddy lagoon in Forest Park with an under-inflated, soft ball which could be submerged by a player and then moved underwater. There were few rules and the game was so rough that all European teams boycotted the event. European Water Polo was brought to St. Louis by Carl O. Bauer from Germany when he became Athletic Director of the Missouri Athletic Club in the 1920’s. In 1927 when the Meramec River Patrol was formed by Carl Bauer and Commodore Flint of the American Red Cross, Water polo was used as a conditioning activity for this organization dedicated to rescuing swimmers who were in trouble on our nearby rivers. Most Missouri Athletic Club players were members of the Meramec River Patrol. Carl Bauer and the MAC hosted the 1946 Olympic Water Polo Trials in St. Louis at Marquette pool in south St. Louis. The St. Louis team came in second. First place went to the Olympic Club from San Francisco, California.

22. Missouri Water Polo -- History European and olympic play, winning olympic titles in of dominance over internationalwater polo that lasted teams calendar results history rules links http://www.mowaterpolo.com/wphistory.html

The Origins of Water Polo There is little documentation as to the origins of water polo. However, we do know that the term "polo" is the English pronunciation of the Indian word "pulu," meaning ball. Just as the ball game played on horseback became known as "polo," the ball game played in water became known as "water polo," although there in no connection between the two sports. The game that evolved into modern water polo began as a form of rugby football played in rivers and lakes with the object to "carry" the ball to the opponent's side. By 1869, an Indian rubber ball began replacing the original ball which was made from a pig's stomach. One year later, the London Swimming Club developed rules for football to be played in swimming pools. The first official game was played in the Crystal Palace Plunge in London. The early games were generally exhibitions of brute strength. Passing, punting and dribbling were scarcely ever practiced. Each player considered it his duty to score goals without regard to position. A goal was scored by placing the ball, with two hands, on the top of the tank end. A favorite trick of the players was to place the five- to nine-inch ball inside their swimming suit and dive under the murky water, then appear again as near the goal as possible. Should the player come up too near the goal, he was promptly jumped on by the goalie, who was permitted to stand on the pool deck. By 1880 in Scotland, the introduction of the Trudgeon stroke permitted rule changes to make the game faster. The game moved from a rugby-style to a soccer-style of play. The goal then became a cage of ten feet by three feet and a goal could be scored by throwing the ball into this area. The small ball was changed to a leather association football (soccer ball). Players could only be tackled if they held the ball and players could only touch the ball with one hand at a time. In the late 1880s, these Scottish rules were generally adopted throughout Great Britain.

23. BBC SPORT | SWIMMING | Aussies Achieve Water Polo History Australia create a piece of olympic history by winning thefirstever womens' water polo match of the Games. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/olympics2000/swimming/newsid_927000/92735

feedback low graphics version You are in: Swimming Front Page Athletics-Track Athletics-Field ... Paralympics Saturday, 16 September, 2000, 08:43 GMT 09:43 UK Aussies achieve water polo history The Sydney Aquatic Centre hosts the water polo Australia created a piece of Olympic history by winning the first-ever womens' water polo match of the Games. And while there was no spilled blood in a physical 9-2 win over Kazakhstan there was certainly sweat and tears from the Aussies. Australian captain Bridgette Gusterson admitted to being overwhelmed by the occasion at the Ryde pool. "I've never actually cried before a game but I did today. It was an honour and a privilege and a very special thing for us all," said the 27-year-old. There was embarrassment for Australia's Yvette Higgins in the first quarter when she had her costume ripped, forcing her to dash to the changing rooms for repairs. Unanswered That wasn't the host nation's only hitch as they fell behind after just 44 seconds as Olga Lechshuk scored the historic first goal as Australia took time to shake off what coach Istvan Gorgenyi described as:"stage fright". But Australia recovered to lead 2-1 at the end of the first quarter and finished in style with four unanswered goals in the final quarter.

24. Water Polo Guide - History Index An Impressive, Recent history. Jump to top. The Evolution of Womens water polo. Althoughwomen's water polo has not yet gained olympic status, women compete http://www.h2opolo.com/pologuide/history(w).html

Home History of Water Polo The History of Womens Water Polo An Impressive, Recent History The Evolution of Womens Water Polo Junior and Senior National Teams An Impressive, Recent History Women's water polo owes much of its early development to the Dutch. In 1906, the first women's game was played in Harlem, Holland. American women's early interest in the sport proved to be short-lived. Following the Los Angeles Athletic Club's victory at the 1926 Nationals, the sport was considered too brutal and barbaric for women. The women's nationals were discontinued for the next 35 years. Rose Mary Dawson, coach of the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Swim Club, revived the sport in the early 1960s. Led by goalie Micki King, Dawson's teams captured the rejuvenated Nationals in 1961-63. King would later seek international fame as an Olympic gold medalist in diving. Coach Vaune Kadlubek reviews strategy with Team USA women. Athletes in other aquatic sports, such as King, were beginning to see the benefits of playing the game to supplement their training. The Santa Clara Swim Club captured the indoor national titles behind the efforts of Pokey Watson Richardson and Claudia Kolb Thomas, both Olympic gold medalists in swimming. Led by Olympic swimmers Deena Deardurff and Jenny Kemp, the Cincinnati Marlins won the indoor title in 1974. In 1978, the U.S, Australia, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands were invited to compete in exhibition matches at the World Championships in West Berlin. The U.S. won the bronze medal.

25. Water Polo Guide - History Index The history of Mens water By 1900, water polo was so popular it became the firstteam sport added to the olympic program. At the 1904 olympics in St. http://www.h2opolo.com/pologuide/history(m).html

Home History of Water Polo The History of Mens Water Polo Origins and Early Rules America Learns Water Polo Americans Keep it Rough Origins and Early Rules There is little documentation as to the origins of water polo. It is known, however, that the sport originated in the rivers and lakes of mid-19th century England as an aquatic version of rugby football. Early games used an inflated, vulcanized rubber ball imported from India known as a "pulu" (the single Indian word for all "balls"). Pronounced "polo" by the English, both the ball and the game became known as "water polo." To attract more spectators to swimming exhibitions, the London Swimming Association developed a set of water polo rules for indoor swimming pools in 1870. First published illustration of an American water polo game by T. de Thelstrup, Harper's Weekly Magazine, February 28, 1891 At first, players scored by planting the ball on the end of the pool with both hands. A favorite trick of the players was to place the five-to-nine inch rubber ball inside their swimming suit and dive under the murky water, then appear again as near the goal as possible. If the player came up too near the goal, he was promptly jumped on by the goalie, who was permitted to stand on the pool deck. Games were often nothing more than gang fights in the water as players ignored the ball, preferring underwater wrestling matches that usually ended with one man floating to the surface unconscious.

26. History Of Water Polo THE SPORTS. history of Swimming water polo Content by Andrew Oon water polo made itsolympic debut in 1900 and has remained an olympic sport ever since. http://www.penangswimming.com/main/sports/sub_sport_waterpolo.html

THE SPORTS History of Swimming Water Polo Content by Andrew Oon Water Polo was adapted to swimming pools in 1870 by the London Swimming Club, and the first official game was played at the Crystal Palace Plunge in London. The game became a version of rugby on water, based more on brute strength than athletic skill. A common trick players used then was to place the small ball in their oversized swimming trunks and swim underwater towards the goal, where they would score by using both hands to place the ball on the pool's deck. By 1880, the modern version of the sport began to evolve in Scotland. Rule changes included scoring on a net 10 feet long by three feet high (roughly three-metres by one-metre), and using a leather ball similar to the size of a soccer ball. Players could only be tackled when holding the ball and could only touch the ball with one hand - rules that still apply today. The Scottish rules were adopted throughout Great Britain, and then the game spread beyond the island. Nations like Hungary, Belgium, Austria, Germany and France, began playing the sport by the late 1800s. By 1889, America was introduced to the sport by an English swimming instructor, John Robinson. Water polo made its Olympic debut in 1900 and has remained an Olympic sport ever since. Great Britain won gold at four of the first five Games. The only hiccup was in 1904, when the US won. The Americans also won silver and bronze because they were the only country to enter teams. Other nations refused to play with the soft, under-inflated ball that was common in American competition.

27. Feature - Australian Water Polo On The Brink Of History - ABC Australian water polo on the brink of history. Australian women were prime moversin the fight to have women's water polo included in the olympic program. http://www.abc.net.au/olympics/s185723.htm

28. ABC Online News - Sports: Water Polo Swimming water polo. A new era in water polo’s history will begin in Sydneywhen women compete in the sport at olympic level for the first time. http://www.abc.net.au/news/olympics/sports/waterpolo.htm

LISTEN: WMP Real Select a Topic from the list below Click "Refresh" or "Reload" on your browser for the latest edition. Top Stories Breaking Stories World Business ... Local News SPECIALS Olympics Swim Trials Athletes Sports ... Coverage RELATED ABC SITES Lateline Four Corners 7.30 Report Foreign Correspondent Landline Australian Story Stateline AM ... Correspondents' Report INTERACTIVE Forums Contact Us News Mail HELP Hearing Audio Viewing Video ABC ONLINE Home Other Areas of Interest: Subject Arts Science Children Youth Education Rural Local Shop OLYMPICS : Sports Water Polo A new era in water polo’s history will begin in Sydney when women compete in the sport at Olympic level for the first time. Water polo became the modern Olympic movement’s first team sport when it was added to the program for the Paris Games in 1900, but parity for women’s water polo players has been a long time coming. In fact, the sports female half may still be waiting for admission if it wasn’t for some confrontational tactics pursued by members of the Australian women’s water polo team. Led by goalkeeper Liz Weekes, a contingent of Australian players interrupted a meeting of Olympic powerbrokers in the lead-up to the Sydney Games demanding that women's water polo be added to the program.

29. History Canadian water polo history Enthusiastic members of Canadian boating and swimmingclubs An olympic Sport water polo has been an olympic sport since 1896. http://www.h2opolo-on.org/History of WP.htm

ONTARIO WATER POLO ASSOCIATION Home Event 2003 Provincial Championships Registration NEW News Provincial Athlete profiles About Water Polo WP in Ontario History of WP Resources For purchases Early History of The Game The first makeshift water polo contests were played in Britain in the 1860s - the sport may thank its inception to the monotony that spectators found in the competitive swim races of the times. Some horse jockeys with a want for amusement started "Water Derby", using barrels to replace the horses in the water. A new version called "Water Football", with three players aside, enjoyed brief success in 1876. What could be considered the first regular game of Water Polo was played in 1876. The game did not catch on, however. The same year, a more elaborate set of rules were written which were refined by English and Scottish teams. In 1885, the English National Swimming Association officially recognized water polo as a separate sport thereafter requiring games to be played in accordance with one set of rules. Interest in the emerging sport then spread around the world. Canadian Water Polo History Enthusiastic members of Canadian boating and swimming clubs started to popularize water polo in 1896. The first official water polo tournament in Canada was sponsored by the Montreal Aquatic Club and was played in 1887.

30. ISHOF - Terry Schroeder (USA) - 2002 Honor Water Polo Player emotions as does this captain of three olympic water polo teams. At 6 feet 3 inches,210 pounds, he became one of the best players in olympic history to play http://www.ishof.org/02tschroeder.html

TERRY SCHROEDER (USA) Honor Water Polo Player FOR THE RECORD: 1979-1992 UNITED STATES NATIONAL WATER POLO TEAM: member; 1980 OLYMPIC GAMES: boycott; 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES: silver; 1988 OLYMPIC GAMES: silver; 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES: 4th; PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (1979, 1983, 1987), silver (1991); 1978, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1991 FINA WORLD CUP: gold (1991), silver (1985); WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Very rarely will you find an Olympic athlete in one of the roughest Olympic sports who has the easy demeanor and control of emotions as does this captain of three Olympic water polo teams. At 6 feet 3 inches, 210 pounds, he became one of the best players in Olympic history to play the two-meter position, the quarterback of the offense. For over 15 years and 4 Olympic Games, Terry Schroeder was the USA team leader and one of the most revered players in international competition during his career. He never lost his temper in play. There was not time for that. As the “hole man,” he had to wrestle the heavyweights, take blows and keep focused on the game. That was his strength – to take a beating and hold his own. He was fouled up to 75 times in a game. He had a total of 100 stitches in his face. But he never relented, leading his team to great international achievements. During his career, Schroeder led the National Team to five FINA World Cups winning gold and silver medals, and four Pan American Games winning three golds and a silver medal. On the club level, he played for Industry Hills, Malibu, New York Athletic Club and Harvard, competing seven times on National Championship teams. He was voted National MVP six times and was an All-American fourteen times. He was twice named International Player of the Year and carried the U.S. flag at the 1988 Olympic Closing Ceremony. In 1984, he modeled for sculptor, Robert Graham as the bronze male torso sculpted for the Olympic Gateway at the entrance to the Los Angeles Coliseum at the Olympic Games. This headless figure represents all Olympic athletes.

31. ISHOF Museum Special Displays aquatic disciplines of swimming, diving water polo and synchronized Becker Pinkston,received this olympic flag at THE history OF SWIMMING Buck Dawson, ISHOF's http://www.ishof.org/displays.html

ISHOF Museum Special Displays VEE S. TONER DISPLAY - A HISTORY OF THE HALL Vee Toner, former A.A.U. volunteer and administrator, highlights the origin, growth and influence of the amateur Athletic Union within the United States and its impact on the conduct of world sports. JOHNNY WEISSMULLER - WORLD'S GREATEST SWIMMER - 1900-1950 Focus centers on life-size wax replica of Johnny surrounded by his Olympic gold medals, USA and International medals, swimsuit worn at the 1928 Olympic Games, and movie posters with props of the 16 Tarzan films in which he starred during the 1930's - 1940's. ISHOF HONOREE ALCOVE AND PANELS Photographs, memorabilia, display floor and wall panels and Olympic uniforms highlight over 500 individuals inducted into ISHOF since 1965 representing the aquatic disciplines of swimming, diving water polo and synchronized swimming as athletes, coaches and contributors. THE ORIGINAL OLYMPIC FLAG The 1920 gold medal Olympic couple, Clarence and Betty Becker Pinkston, received this Olympic flag at the 1920 Antwerp Games, the first city to fly the distinguished flag. COLLEGE SWIMMING COACHES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA FORUM DISPLAY A composite of photographs since 1935, describing the first organized college swim training program in the nation.

32. Waterpolo Origin Berlin, James R. Smith (USA) developed a water polo ball made it did not become anofficial olympic ball until of Terms How to watch Women's history water polo http://www.rewp.net/origin.html

Redwood Empire Water Polo Santa Rosa, CA Sonoma County Origins of Water Polo There is little documentation as to the origins of water polo. However, we do know that the term "polo" is the English pronunciation of the Indian word "pulu," meaning ball. Just as the ball game played on horseback became known as "polo," the ball game played in water became known as "water polo," although there in no connection between the two sports. The game that evolved into modern water polo began as a form of rugby football played in rivers and lakes with the object to "carry" the ball to the opponent's side. By 1869, an Indian rubber ball began replacing the original ball which was made from a pig's stomach. One year later, the London Swimming Club developed rules for football to be played in swimming pools. The first official game was played in the Crystal Palace Plunge in London. The early games were generally exhibitions of brute strength. Passing, punting and dribbling were scarcely ever practiced. Each player considered it his duty to score goals without regard to position. A goal was scored by placing the ball, with two hands, on the top of the tank end. A favorite trick of the players was to place the five- to nine-inch ball inside their swimming suit and dive under the murky water, then appear again as near the goal as possible. Should the player come up too near the goal, he was promptly jumped on by the goalie, who was permitted to stand on the pool deck.

33. Waterpolo History For Women history of Women's water polo in the USA. Women's water polo was played regularlyin the United States John Urbanchek, 1996 US Men's olympic Swimming Assistant http://www.rewp.net/womenhistory.html

Redwood Empire Water Polo Santa Rosa, CA Sonoma County History of Women's Water Polo in the USA Women's water polo was played regularly in the United States until 1926, when the Nationals were won by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. After this time, the sport was considered too rough for women, and no Nationals were held for 35 years. The Ann Arbor Swim Club, coached by Rose Mary Dawson, was instrumental in reviving the sport. Ann Arbor, later coached by John Urbanchek, 1996 U.S. Men's Olympic Swimming Assistant Coach, won the Nationals in 1961 through 1963. The goalkeeper for Ann Arbor was Micki King, later a United States Olympic diving gold medallist. Northern Virginia Aquatic Club won seven national titles from 1964-69, although on the West Coast, Santa Clara Swim Club, with Pokey Watson Richardson and Claudia Kolb Thomas, both Olympic gold medallists in swimming, took two indoor titles in 1965 and 1966. Water polo was introduced into Florida by Rob DeVust in the late 1960s, with Florida teams winning the majority of the national championships from 1971-75, although the Cincinnati Marlins won the Indoors in 1974 with a team including Deena Deardurff and Jenny Kemp, both Olympic swimmers.

34. History Of Water Polo In Australia was later to be known as water polo, although this atop barrels and truly resembledthe sport of polo. longeststanding team sport in the olympic Games, being http://www.nwplaus.com.au/content/nwpl_awpiHistory.html

History of Water Polo and the nwpl in Australia THE NATIONAL WATER POLO LEAGUE The NWPL, as it has become known as, conducted its inaugural season in 1990. In the early years the competition was dominated by the Victorian Tigers who won the first four championships. The Cronulla Sharks from Sydney's south then started their record run of five championships in six years. Recently the Fremantle Mariners from Western Australia, who have played in the last six consecutive Grand Finals, have won three titles and finally last year the Sydney University Lions broke through for their first NWPL title. For details of NWPL finalists and details of all of clubs who have played in the NWPL since 1990 please click the link below: NWPL FINALISTS 1990 TO 2002 In the 2001 season the NWPL played its 1,000th league match when two of the foundation clubs, Victoria Tigers and Brisbane Barracudas played a record goal scoring match in Melbourne. The match recorded the greatest ever number of goals scored in a quarter and the greatest number of goals scored in a match. Over 1,000 players from more than 25 countries have competed in the NWPL over its 14 year history. The National teams of Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea have competed in the NWPL with the New Zealand Stingrays now a regular and welcome participant.

35. History A Brief history of water polo. The origins of the sport of water polo are unknown. waterpolo was introduced in the olympic Games for the first time in 1900 http://clubs.asua.arizona.edu/~polo/History.html

A Brief History of Water Polo The origins of the sport of water polo are unknown. The form of the game which we know and love today had its birth in a form of rugby football played in rivers and lakes. The object of this game was to carry the ball to the opponent's side without losing possession of the ball. In 1870, the London Swimming Club developed rules for football to be played in the pool. The first official game played under these rules was played in the Crystal Palace Plunge in London. The modern cage appeared in Scotland in 1880, along with additional rules and a soccer style leather ball. The game became popular next in Great Britain and then moved to the US in 1888 when John Robinson, an English swimming instructor, organized a team at the Boston Athletic Association. Early games were played in the English style, but staying true to the American spirit of innovation, American water polo soon developed its own distinct characteristics. "It was a game of close formations and fierce scrimmages and was one of the roughest games ever played. The ball would be taken underwater and held with two hands. Players grabbed each other where they chose, becoming locked in wrestling grips and losing interest in the whereabouts of the ball. It was a survival of the fittest. In many underwater battles, men let go of one another only when one man was no longer able to endure without air. Players

36. Summer Olympics 2000 Olympic History -- Swimming Schedule Fan Guide history US Roster. olympic history Swimming MEN, WOMEN. FieldHockey, Triathlon. Handball, water polo. Judo/Taekwondo, Weightlifting. http://espn.go.com/oly/summer00/swimming/s/almanac.html

ESPN Keyword Search ESPN.com Search The Web on error resume next FlashInstalled = (IsObject(CreateObject("ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash.4"))) If FlashInstalled = "True" then flash = 1 End If ESPN Network: ESPN.com NFL.com NBA.com NASCAR ... U.S. Roster Olympic history Swimming MEN WOMEN 50 freestyle 50 freestyle 100 freestyle 100 freestyle ... Wrestling

37. Summer Olympics 2000 Olympic History -- Baseball Schedule Fan Guide history US Roster. olympic history Baseball Baseballolympics, Medal, Country. Handball, water polo. Judo/Taekwondo, Weightlifting. http://espn.go.com/oly/summer00/baseball/s/almanac.html

ESPN Keyword Search ESPN.com Search The Web ESPN Network: ESPN.com NFL.com NBA.com NASCAR ... U.S. Roster Olympic history Baseball Baseball Olympics Medal Country Atlanta '96 Gold Silver Bronze Cuba Japan United States Barcelona '92 Gold Silver Bronze Cuba Taiwan Japan Archery Rowing Badminton Sailing ... Wrestling

38. Melville Water Polo Club History history. Long standing Club member, Tom Hoad, a four time Olympian, was captain(3 times) and coach (3 times) of the olympic water polo team and in 1968 was http://www.rtime.com.au/melvillewpc/history2.htm

News Sponsors Fixtures Policies ... Home HISTORY continued from Three Melville players have gained Olympic selection, and five men have been selected for National representative teams. Numerous Melville players have been selected in State and National junior representative teams. Long standing Club member, Tom Hoad, a four time Olympian, was captain (3 times) and coach (3 times) of the Olympic water polo team and in 1968 was appointed to F.I.N.A, the world governing body for swimming. Tom is currently chairman of the 1998 World Swimming Championships committee for the games to be held in Perth, and still plays senior water polo for Melville. David Neesham, himself selected four times for Olympic representation and captain (twice) of the Olympic water polo team, is coach of the Australian Women's team, the current World Champions, and of the Melville A grade women's team, who won the Australian Club Championship in 1994/95 and the State premiership in 1994/95 and 1995/96. David currently plays B grade for Melville. In 1993, Melville was successful in obtaining a licence to enter the "FREMANTLE SHARKS" as the first team from Western Australia in the National Water Polo League. This team is comprised predominately of Melville A Grade players and is financed from within the Club and with the much appreciated support of the Club's major sponsors.

39. History Top. Canadian water polo history Women's water polo became an olympic sportin 2000 and the Canadian women qualified to go to Australia. Top. http://www.calgaryrenegadeswaterpolo.ca/history.htm

The Calgary Renegades Water Polo Club News History Vision Calendar ... Nationals History Renegades Club History Calgary Water Polo History Canadian Water Polo History Early Times space Renegades Club History Club Presidents: present Neil Kuntz June Pardy Phil Bobawsky Dave Hammer Pete Meyer Top Club Achievements: Six National Championships Trophies Two time Serendipity Cup Champions - Senior Men Serendipity Cup Champions 2000 - Senior Women Alberta Open Champions Nine Senior National Team Athletes Seventeen Junior National Team Athletes Pan American 1999 - Gold and Bronze Medallists Commonwealth 2002 Gold and Silver Medallists (Cora Campbell) FINA World Cup Bronze Medallist - Perth 2002 - Cora Campbell World Aquatic Championships Bronze Medallist - Fukoka 2001- Cora Campbell Top Calgary Water Polo History Top Canadian Water Polo History Enthusiastic members of Canadian boating and swimming clubs started to popularize water polo in 1896. The first official water polo tournament in Canada was sponsored by the Montreal Aquatic Club and was played in 1887. In 1909, an Ontario Water Polo League was formed by eastern universities. The earliest report of women playing water polo was in 1920, when the Toronto Ladies' Swimming Club started a program. The first Dominion Water Polo Championships for Junior men, won by the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association Water Polo Club was held in 1927. The Canadian Water Polo Association, now know as Water Polo Canada was formed in 1956. The Canadian Water Polo League was formed in 1981.

40. Women'Sports Wire For the first time in olympic history, spectators will see women compete synchronizedswimming (return of the duet competition), water polo, and weightlifting http://www.womensportswire.com/olympics/archived_olympics/archived_olympics_2/bo

Olympic Movements Women’s Water Polo Hoping to Get the Attention it Deserves COLORADO SPRINGS, CO . Water polo has been played since the mid-nineteenth century and has been a part of the Olympic Games since 1900, when it became the first team sport added to the Olympic program. However, up to this point, only men have been able to play for the gold. Finally this September, women will make their first Olympic appearance. Six countries will compete to become the first gold medalist in women's water polo. This year's women's field will include teams from Australia, The Netherlands, Canada, Russia, Kazakhstan and the United States. The host Australians and the Netherlands had been considered favorites for the gold medal until the United States shocked everyone by winning the Holiday Cup, a pre-Olympic tournament in Los Alamitos, CA. According to USA Water Polo Director of Communications, Eric Velazquez , "the US destroyed everyone. Even though some of the scores were close, the other teams were just outmatched." With confidence and momentum going into the Games, the American women will be a force to be reckoned with. From 19-year-old

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