AUSTRALIAN WATER POLO TEAMS IMPRESSED BY TOKYO
Published Thu 22 Jul 2021
The Australian Olympic men’s and women’s water polo teams have been impressed by the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre, which will host two weeks of water polo action for the Tokyo Olympics.
Both teams have settled into Village life and with just three days until the women’s water polo competition gets underway, Olympic debutant Amy Ridge said the excitement has certainly kicked in upon inspection of the venue.
"It is something I have been visualising, jumping into the pool for every session up until this point and finally getting there was a really surreal feeling and it felt great," said Ridge.
"I think they have done a fantastic job and just seeing the rings everywhere, even in the Village, is a really special thing...I am really excited to be playing with the rings on my chest.
"I have tried to soak it all in and do all of the new exciting things day one so that now it seems like home for us for the next two weeks and we can do the job that we need to do here," she said.
After a pre-Games camp in the USA, the men’s team arrived earlier this week and wasted no time in getting familiar with the venue.
Another player set to make his Olympic debut, 22 year old Tim Putt can’t quite believe that they are in Tokyo and just days away from competition.
“It was an amazing feeling stepping into the arena, almost electric. Everyone just kind of lit up, even the coaches.
“I can’t believe it, two weeks ago it still felt like we might not make it. But here we are… and straight into it, it was really good.
“The pool has been a nice change, I think we were in a bit of a hot bath tub in Hawaii there but here it is a good temp for competition, it is indoors, it is well ventilated so we don’t have to worry about too much heat or anything, it will be a really good pool to play in.”
The Water Polo competition kicks off on Saturday 24 July, with the Aussie Stingers women’s team set to face Canada at 3.30pm local time (4.30pm AEST).
The men’s competition will get underway on Sunday 25 July when the Aussie Sharks take on Montenegro at 3.30pm local time (4.30pm AEST).
