Flavor Flav Brings Hype to USA Water Polo at Paris Games

PARIS – Flavor Flav, the iconic member of the hip-hop group Public Enemy, made a splash at the Team USA House during the Paris Games, engaging with fans through hugs, handshakes, and high-fives. Flav is in Paris as the official hype man for USA Water Polo, a role that emerged after he connected with U.S. captain Maggie Steffens on Instagram earlier this year. Sporting a custom USA Water Polo clock, Flav expressed his excitement for the sport, stating, “I’m so hype right now about this sport. I wish I was playing it.” Flav's involvement with USA Water Polo began when Steffens shared her experiences with the U.S. women's program, which has achieved an impressive three consecutive gold medals leading into the Paris Games. As part of a five-year agreement, Flav made a financial contribution to the women's program and committed to promoting the sport through social media, aiming to elevate its visibility. “I got to try it to see what it feels like,” he remarked after spending time in the water with the team. The significance of Flav's presence was highlighted by Johnson, the first Black woman to represent the U.S. Olympic water polo team. She noted the unique community engagement surrounding the sport, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in promoting water polo. Flav echoed this sentiment, stating that the sport transcends racial boundaries, focusing instead on a shared passion for the game.