U.S. Women's Water Polo Team Inspired by Taylor Swift Ahead of Paris Olympics

PARIS – The U.S. women's water polo team, led by star player Maggie Steffens, is drawing inspiration from pop icon Taylor Swift as they prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The team attended one of Swift's Eras Tour concerts at La Défense Arena in May, the same venue where the final rounds of the water polo tournaments will take place. With aspirations of securing their fourth consecutive gold medal, the team is eager to channel Swift's energy and performance spirit during their Olympic matches. Following the concert, Steffens revealed that the team held a meeting to discuss their desire to emulate Swift's ability to thrive under pressure. “We want to be able to love the pressure and be able to perform and have fun,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the moment. The connection to Swift has provided the team with a unique source of motivation as they aim for Olympic success. The tickets to the concert were a generous gift from Swift, facilitated by women’s national team manager Ally Beck, who reached out to the musician's representatives. Additionally, Flavor Flav, the newly appointed hype man for USA Water Polo, also played a role in securing the tickets, highlighting the excitement surrounding the team's journey. Steffens expressed the profound impact of witnessing Swift's performance, calling it “magical” and a testament to the power of women in sports and entertainment. The U.S. women's water polo team is now poised to make their mark at the Olympics, inspired by Swift's example.