- Water polo stars must ‘break in’ their Olympic swimsuits
- Many female players wear high-cut, tight-fitting suits
- Australia will play Spain in the battle for the gold medal at the Paris Games
Australian water polo player Abby Andrews has shown what it takes to fit the female players into their swimwear at the Paris Olympics. And it doesn’t look comfortable.
The Stingers’ semi-final heroine, after scoring four goals against the US, hilariously showed her followers on Instagram that it’s not just a matter of stripping down and putting on a costume.
The clip, titled “POV: Putting on Your Olympic Suit,” sees Andrews and a teammate take things to the next level, providing an insight that many fans aren’t aware of.
The high-cut, tight-fitting swimsuits are essential to increase flexibility in the water and prevent your opponents from gaining even the slightest advantage in competitions.
Some players, as Andrews can attest from her video, have chosen to wear swimsuits that are two to three sizes smaller than what they normally wear, to make it harder for their opponents to get their hands under the edges.
Water polo is a physically brutal sport, with athletes using every muscle in their bodies and engaging in fierce individual battles that can only be seen clearly through an underwater camera.
When treading water, swimming or 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’ semi-final heroine after scoring four goals against the US hilariously showed her followers on Instagram that it’s not just a matter of stripping down and putting on a costume (photo)
Abby Andrews will be a key figure for the Stingers in their gold medal match against Spain at the Paris Games
The Stingers are the first Australian women’s team to reach the Olympic water polo final since the 2000 Sydney Games.
Bec Rippon’s team are assured of at least a silver medal after winning bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.
‘When we beat the US in that final in Sydney, 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 incredibly proud of what we have achieved and are eager to create our own legacy.”
Andrews’ four goals in the third period against America changed the game dramatically, 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 battle for the gold medal begins on Saturday, August 10 at 11:35pm AEST.