Schedule Of Water Polo Events

Water Polo is a water sport that involves passing the ball, swimming, treading water with occasional eggbeater kick. The sport is played in water bodies. Water Polo as a sport emerged during the 19th century as an aquatic adaptation of rugby. In the beginning, this sport was played informally in lakes and rivers. Water Polo first featured in 1920 Olympics Games in Antwerp. At London 2012 Olympics Games, the Water Polo competition will be held at Water Polo Arena from 29 July - 12 August 2012. Water Polo Arena is a brand new venue constructed inside the Olympic Park and is located next to the Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park. The construction of Water Polo Arena began in spring 2011. This Arena has a competition pool and a warm up pool for athletes. The venue holds seating capacity for nearly 5,000 spectators during the tournament and will be a host to both women's and men's water polo competitions. The number of events to be held is 2 and the number of athletes participating for the water polo sport is 260- consisting of 104 women and 156 men.

Water Polo Events In London 2012 Olympics

Olympic Water Polo Rules
Water polo game has striking similarities with land-based game of handball. Water Polo team consists of a goalkeeper and six field players. The game involves passing the ball, swimming and treading water. The match will be divided into four periods of eight minutes. Each team gets 30 seconds to score before the ball is returned to the rival team. The players are barred from touching the sides or the bottom of the pool and can swim up to three miles during the match. Only the goaltender is allowed to handle the ball with more than one hand. The Water Polo players wear caps fitted with soft plastic earflaps protectors akin to scrum caps in rugby.

Some Interesting Facts About Water Polo Sport

With all the balling action in the water pool, the Water Polo sport is sure going to be super exciting and thrilling spectacle for the viewers during the 2012 London Summer Olympics Games.