- Olympic athletes have specially designed swimsuits
- Australian Stingers play for gold medal against Spain
Women’s water polo stars have worn extremely high-cut, skin-tight swimsuits at the Paris Olympics – and the look has nothing to do with fashion.
Australia’s Stingers team, which defeated three-time defending champions the United States in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the final against Spain, have sported high-rise suits resembling one-piece thongs throughout the Games.
The swimsuits are specially designed to promote flexibility in the water and prevent giving their rivals even the slightest advantage in matches.
Some players have opted to wear swimsuits two or three sizes smaller than their usual ones in an attempt to make it difficult for their opponents to get their hands under the edges.
As many players can attest, water polo is a physically brutal sport, with athletes taxing every muscle in their body and engaging in close-fought clashes that can only be properly viewed through an underwater camera.
In the process of floating, swimming and throwing, players work all major muscle groups.
Underwater, away from the referee’s eyes, punches, kicks and scratches are common as competitors grab each other by any means possible.
This comes as the Stingers became the first Australian women’s team to reach the Olympic water polo final since the 2000 Games in Sydney.
The Stingers (pictured after beating the U.S. on Thursday) have donned high-cut swimsuits that resemble one-piece thongs to improve their flexibility in the water.
The suits are also specially made so that the stars’ rivals have nothing to hold on to when they face off in this extremely physical sport.
Tilly Kearns (wearing cap number 11) and Sienna Hearn (wearing cap number 8) are seen celebrating after the Australians advanced to the gold medal match against Spain.
Bec Rippon’s team are also guaranteed their first medal since winning bronze at the 2012 London Games.
“When we beat the United States in that final at Sydney 2000, it was epic. I was a kid and I was there watching, and it really inspired Australia (as a nation) and Australians to play water polo,” Rippon said.
‘I was one of them… we wanted to revive that and bring it back to Australia.
“We are really proud.”
Abby Andrews’ four third-period goals transformed the game, and goalkeeper Gabriella Palm was also immense.
Her decisive moment in the penalty shoot-out to deny American star Maddie Musselman sparked scenes of euphoria at La Defense Arena.
Spain, who are also unbeaten in Paris, beat the Netherlands 19-18 in another penalty shoot-out match and an exciting final will be played.
The action kicks off at 11:35pm AEST on Saturday 10th August.
