Rio Olympics 2016: water polo women could be a surprise hit of the Games according to coach
AUSTRALIAN Greg McFadden firmly believes his water polo women could be the surprise hit of the Rio Olympics.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Aussie surfers caught up in Rio shooting
- League legend’s daughter hoping to make a splash
- Sally Fitzgibbons chasing Rio inspired comeback
- No ‘crap’ for our women on waves
- The incredible Anna Meares
COACH Greg McFadden rates the Australian women’s water polo team as the best he has ever seen and a chance of replicating the feat of the Stingers 16 years ago in winning an Olympic gold in the pool.
After bronze medal-winning performances at the last Games, McFadden firmly believes his water polo women could be the surprise hit of the Rio Olympics.
Assistant coach at the 2004 Games and head coach since, McFadden has nothing but praise for his charges ahead of a tour of the US and China, which will help determine the makeup of the team to play in Rio.
“There is something special about this group,’’ said the former men’s representative who competed at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.
“This is the best team I have ever seen. We are definitely a gold medal possibility.’’
McFadden says the fact Australia has been invited to play the US in a series of games is proof positive the Stingers are considered major players in the sport ahead of the Rio Games.
“They have seen that we have improved. I think they are worried about us,’’ McFadden said from a team training camp this week.
Australia scored a rare victory over the US last year with the world No. 1 side returning the favour this year.
“They are the best in the world and we want to challenge ourselves,’’ McFadden said.
“We will learn a lot from these matches in the US and so will they.
“But we will definitely be trying to win these games.’’
McFadden said one test will be televised on the American NBC network and be modified for the coverage.
At the conclusion of the US series the Australians will head to China for the World League Final before returning to Australia on June 14. Three days later the team to compete in Rio will be named.
Australia has been drawn to play in the same pool as Russia, Italy and Brazil at the Olympics with the crossover pool boasting the US, China, Hungary and Spain
Ranked: Who should really be named SA’s top sporting hero?
We’ve named the top 100 athletes, teams and sporting icons from South Australia. But did we get it right? Rate our full list here.
Matildas loss rugby’s gain as teens help Aussies end long Sevens drought
Grit, a fighting spirit and a pair of young guns - including one that was touted as a future Matilda - have helped Australia end a seven-year-long drought in rugby sevens.