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For Release: April 30
Olympic and World Champion Spain Headlines 1998 Goodwill Games Water Polo Field
Defending Olympic and World water polo champion Spain will seek another international title when it faces three of the world's most dominant teams-United States, Russia and Italy-at this summer's Goodwill Games. The announcement, which also included the water polo draw and prize money structure, was made today by Goodwill Games representatives at a press conference held for the dedication of the new, multi-million dollar Nassau County Goodwill Games Swimming and Diving Center. Water polo, scheduled for July 20-22, will take place at the brand new aquatics facility.
"Water polo has a long history with the Goodwill Games and is recognized as one of the most physically demanding sports worldwide," said Plant. "These four teams are fierce competitors and fans can look forward to some outstanding action in the pool."
Water polo has been a part of the Games' sports schedule since the inaugural Goodwill Games in 1986. Water polo was the first team sport in the Olympic Games, debuting in 1900 and being contested in every Olympic Games since.
"We are thrilled to be a part of the Goodwill Games once again, especially in New York and at the new Nassau County Goodwill Games Aquatics facility," said Bruce Wigo, U.S. Water Polo Executive Director. "This field represents the top teams internationally, so we look forward to outstanding performances."
The water polo competition is a single, round-robin format with the championship team earning $20,000. The silver-medal squad receives $15,000, while the third- and fourth-place finishers take home $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
A single round-robin format, play begins on July 20 with defending Goodwill Games champs Russia taking on Spain at 8:30 p.m. Team USA faces off with Italy at 10 p.m.
Russia and Italy square-off at 1 p.m. for the July 21 afternoon session; the U.S. and Spain follow at 2:30 p.m. The evening session includes the battle of Italy and Spain at 7:30 p.m. and the U.S. and Russia at 9 p.m. Medal-round action is slated for July 22 with the bronze medal match at 7:30 p.m. and the gold medal contest set for 9 p.m.
COMPETITOR CAPSULES - WATER POLO
SPAIN: The Spanish have found the golden touch. Spain won its first gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. In January, the Spaniards added a World Championship gold. Since the last Goodwill Games, where the team finished fourth, Spain has been consistently ranked in the world's top five. Recent results: 1994 Goodwill Games-4th; 1995 World Cup-5th; 1996 Olympic Games-1st; 1997 World Cup-6th; and 1998 World Championships-1st.
ITALY: Since its amazing run of gold-medal performances from 1992-94, the Italian team has found the competition tough and medals harder to come by. After winning the bronze medal in Atlanta, Italy fell out of the medals at the 1998 World Championship, finishing fifth. Italy remains, however, one of the most dangerous teams in the world, featuring a quick and effective offense.
The Italian team has remained virtually intact since the Atlanta Games and that strong core of players will lead the squad in its quest for a first-ever Goodwill Games gold. Italy won the bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg. Recent results include: 1995 World Cup-2nd; 1996 Olympic Games-3rd; 1997 World Cup-5th; and 1998 World Championships-5th.
RUSSIA: The defending Goodwill Games gold medalist is looking to return to the medals stand in 1998. Russia has been the most dominant water polo team in Goodwill Games history, capturing golds in 1986 and 1994 and a silver in 1990 under the banner of the former Soviet Union. Recent results include: 1994 Goodwill Games -- 1st; 1995 World Cup -- 3rd; 1996 Olympic Games -- 5th; 1997 World Cup -- 4th; 1998 World Championships -- 6th.
UNITED STATES: World Cup champions in 1997, the American squad features one of the world's strongest offensive players, two-meter man Chris Humbert. The 28-year-old Humbert has been the leading scorer for the United States at every major competition since 1991 and averages nearly three goals per game. At the 1997 World Cup, Humbert earned Most Valuable Player honors after scoring a tournament-high 15 goals in five games.
New York City native Wolfgang Wigo is another source of offensive power for Team USA. One of the world's premier outside shooters, Wigo, 25, poured in 10 goals at the 1998 World Championships.
The U.S. team looks to improve its standings this summer. The Americans have won only one Goodwill Games water polo medal, a silver in 1986.
TBS Superstation, the Games' host network, will televise 45 hours of prime-time coverage of the 1998 Goodwill Games. CBS will televise 10 hours of weekend, afternoon coverage. In addition to appearing on TBS and CBS, boxing will be televised on HBO as part of the Boxing After Dark series.
The Goodwill Games are hosted through a combined effort between Goodwill Games, Inc. and the participating sports federations, in conjunction with the appropriate state, city and county governmental agencies. Goodwill Games, Inc., a division of Turner Sports and Time Warner, Inc., is responsible for all aspects of the event.
CONTACTS: Michael Lewellen Goodwill Games/Atlanta 404/827-4786Richard Finn Goodwill Games/New York 212/484-7647Kyle Utsumi U.S. Water Polo 650/568-9077