Best team ever? U.S. Olympic women’s water polo has chance at three-peat

LOS ANGELES — No three-peat banners could be found Wednesday when the 13 members of the women’s USA Water Polo team were introduced.

Head coach Adam Kirkorian muffled talk of winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals. But that opportunity is undeniable, with the American women in position to win a gold in medal in back-to-back-to-back Olympics (London, Rio and, next up, Tokyo).

“I’m not going to shy away and say it’s not noticed,’’ Maggie Steffens, the team’s captain, told USA TODAY Sports. “Of course we know that we have been successful in the past and there’s an opportunity to bring a three-peat to the women’s side. I think it’s a cool opportunity for us.’’

No other team has won two gold medals since women’s water polo competition began at the 2000 Olympics. Yet another possibility for these American women was trumpeted during the ceremony held in the Kyoto Garden at the Doubletree by Hilton.

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