Paris Olympics 2024 Update: Despite Stellar Performance, Senior Member of USA Rivals Shocked as Last Qualification Hangs in the Balance

 The USA water polo squad in the women’s category already has a boasting record of having gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics. It repeated the feat in the Pan American Games in Santiago last year. However, the arch-rival Spain is yet to make a formidable step against the glorified run the USA camp is having. But meanwhile, Canada came multiple steps ahead to set it at the rival’s position.

Last year, in the Pan American Games, the Canadian team had come in second place. That was emphatic compared to their previous run-ins. So keeping that high, in the Paris Olympics year of 2024, the Axelle Crevier’s pack is on the route again. But this time, their destination is the Doha World Aquatics Championships. 

Doha is paving the way for the Paris Olympics 2024 

Canadian women’s water polo squad’s Paris Olympics 2024 fate depends on their performance in Doha now. For a squad that had attained the seventh position in the Tokyo Olympics, the route might give a feel of a mammoth one. But the Canadian team is riding with their present emphatic form. They’re hoping for a similar situation as they once had achieved en route to Tokyo. 

Referring to the USA’s loss in the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, veteran team member Axelle Crevier said to the olympic. ca, “We knew that if they won, it was a more comfortable road to Paris for us…Now we know that if we qualify, it’s because we really deserve it, which I appreciate.” However, she was taken aback to observe the recent performance of the USA. Crevier conceded, “It was a shock because they hadn’t lost a game in what seemed like 10 years. They’ve been winning everything.” But the whole situation hinted at one past instance. 

The Canadian women’s water polo team achieved the silver medal in the Lima Pan American Games in 2019. At that moment, the gold-winning USA team had already confirmed their Olympic contention before coming to Lima. So obviously, the Canadian team had advanced to Tokyo claiming the qualification ticket. But this time, the situation is unfamiliar.

In Santiago, the USA was the ultimate winner. But as they couldn’t earn the qualification earlier (in Fukuoka they had come fifth), ultimately they had won the Paris Olympics berth from there. On the other hand, Canada had lost the battle as in Fukuoka, they had come 7th. And from Santiago, only the USA had their chance. So now, Doha is Canada’s next chance for the Paris Olympics 2024 berth. In that aspect, Crevier boasted about some preferable things. 

The more important role and the honorable chance 

Being a regular attendee of the team, Axelle Crevier preferred the present situation more. She was in the Tokyo Olympics pack and for her, that situation wasn’t an honorable one. In the interview, the offensive numero uno termed that as taking the backdoor entry. But now, she felt much more happy to earn the Paris Olympics on their own merit. “But now we’re going through the front door,” was her take on the moment. 

Read more: South Africa’s Water Polo Team Exits World Championships Without a Win

The Canadian team will face South Africa on February 4 in their opening match. After that, their next match will be against the legendary Great Britain team. As of now, the Canadian team is only eyeing for a gold medal finish to earn the qualification.

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