- Female Olympians have special swimwear made
- Aussie Stingers play for gold medal against Spain
The female water polo stars wore extremely high-cut, tight swimsuits during the Olympic Games in Paris. And that look has nothing to do with fashion.
Australia’s Stingers team, which defeated three-time reigning champions the United States in a thrilling penalty shootout to reach the final against Spain, wore high-waisted costumes resembling a one-piece thong during the Games.
The swimsuits are specially designed to increase their flexibility in the water and prevent them from giving their opponents even the slightest advantage during competitions.
Some players choose to wear swimsuits that are two to three sizes smaller than what they normally wear, to make it more difficult for their opponents to get their hands under the edges.
As many players will attest, water polo is a physically demanding sport. The athletes use every muscle in their bodies and engage in intense battles that can only be seen through an underwater camera.
When treading water, swimming and throwing, players use all major muscle groups.
Underwater, out of sight of the referee, there is regular hitting, kicking and scratching, while the participants hold on to each other in every possible way.
The Stingers are the first Australian women’s team to reach the Olympic water polo final since the 2000 Sydney Games.
The Stingers (pictured after their win over the US on Thursday) donned high-waisted swimsuits that resemble a one-piece G-string to enhance their flexibility in the water
The costumes have also been specially made so that the stars’ rivals have nothing to hold on to when they clash in the extremely physical sport.
Tilly Kearns (in the No. 11 cap) and Sienna Hearn (in the No. 8 cap) celebrate after the Aussies reached the gold medal match against Spain
Bec Rippon’s team are also assured of their first medal since winning bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.
‘When we beat the US in that final in Sydney 2000, it was epic. I was watching that as a kid, and it really inspired Australia [as a nation] and Australians to play water polo,’ Rippon said.
‘I was one of them… we wanted to relive that and take it back to Australia.
“We are really proud.”
Abby Andrews’ four goals in the third period made a huge difference in the game, and goalie Gabriella Palm was also great.
Her defining moment during the shootout, in which she finished off American star Maddie Musselman, created euphoric scenes in the La Defense Arena.
Spain, still undefeated in Paris, defeated the Netherlands in another penalty shootout 19-18. It was an exciting final.
The action starts on Saturday, August 10th at 11:35pm AEST.
