Australia’s Olympic Water Polo players are giving Brisbane 2032 Olympic fans a taste of what to expect in six years time, with the World Aquatic Water Polo World Cup finals underway in Sydney.
Paris Olympic silver medalist and Brisbane local Gabi Palm last night helped to spur the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers to 15-14 win over Italy in front of the home crowd to book their Semi Final berth.
“To come straight into a quarterfinal (and win) is huge. We normally have those round games to ease us into it,” Palm said.
“But I think the crowd was a huge help with that, and I was really proud of the girls for the way we were able to stay in it.
“Just to know that this home crowd and energy is something we’re going to be bringing to Brisbane (in 2032), and to have that across so many different sports, is going to be huge,” she said.
Sunshine Coast goal keeper Nic Porter said while he’s excited to see what Brisbane 2032 will deliver, it’s great to have a slice of Olympic water polo here in Australia now.
“We can’t wait – about to get stuck into game one against the Spanish. The boys are feeling good and we can feel the energy from the crowd,” Porter said.
“Seeing all of the young kids out here that are so keen to see us in action, it just fills you with so much motivation,” he said.
Paris Olympian Marcus Berehulak has his sights firmly on Brisbane 2032 and lining up in a home Olympic Games.
“I’m a Brissie boy, I grew up in Brisbane, so it’s really a cool moment to think about what is to come in six years time,” Berehulak said.
“You have to dream as an athlete…it’s something (playing at Brisbane 2032) that would mean the world to me, to represent my country at a home Olympics.
“Not just to have it in Australia, but to have it in Brisbane where I grew up is incredible. But first of all it’s LA (2028) and then Brisbane, so taking it step by step,” he said.
The World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals are currently underway until the 26 July 2026 at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
