Courtesy: USA Water Polo
Irvine, CA – April 4, 2025 – A year after “Path to Paris,” chronicled USA Water Polo’s men’s national team’s quest to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games, USA Water Polo is excited to announce its second original content series coming this spring.
The new six-part series, called “Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey,” will offer an inside look at the greatest women’s water polo team in the history of the sport on its road to the Paris Olympics. Tickets are on sale now for a special premiere on Monday, April 28, at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California.
The premiere will include the first look at all six episodes of the series as well as a panel discussion with members of the 2024 U.S. Olympic women’s water polo team. Click here to secure your spot at this exclusive experience.
“There has always been so much more to this process than chasing gold medals,” said Adam Krikorian, head coach of the US women’s national team. “For years I’ve wanted people to hear the stories, see the personalities, and learn the lessons that make our journey so special.”
The US women entered the summer of 2024 as the defending three-time Olympic champions, an unprecedented run of excellence. While the team ultimately placed fourth in Paris, viewers will discover the profound dedication these athletes had to the game, their incredible determination to navigate the journey, and the unbreakable bonds formed in the face of adversity.
“Coming up just short of our goal was disappointing,” Krikorian said, referring to the result in Paris, “but it doesn’t take away from the accomplishments [these players] did achieve, the relationships they built, or the impact they’ve had on our communities. This team and these women – along with those that came before them – are truly legends of our sport.”
The series was shot during a 10-month span, beginning in early 2024, when an Olympic berth was already secured, but expectations were building. As the team plotted its path to Paris, “Women of the Water” also delved into the stories of key figures around the program who made a major impact. This first-of-its-kind look at a water polo program that had a firm grip on No. 1 for the better part of a decade was assembled thanks to the creative vision of Executive Producer & Director Suzi Mellano and Producer Greg Mescall with collaboration from Associate Producer Sherie Smith.
“Creating ‘Women of the Water’ was such a fulfilling experience,” said Mellano. “Having the opportunity to be surrounded by such impressive, strong, talented women was beyond inspiring. The year-long process it took for me to shoot and edit this series was challenging but extremely rewarding. Being able to share the voices of these women and the impact they have on women’s sports, is something I will cherish for the rest of my career. I hold the growth of women’s sports close to my heart and I am honored to have played a small role in that progress.”
“Suzi did a masterful job telling the story of this team – one that, frankly, can’t be told enough,” Mescall added. “They are champions in and out of the water, regardless of the results in Paris. A special thanks to the athletes and staff for taking the time to facilitate this production, sitting for interviews, and allowing cameras into their lives. For those that love water polo, this will only cement your passion for the game and love for this team. For those not as familiar, by the end not only will you enjoy the sport, you’ll have developed a respect and appreciation for these athletes that goes far beyond their abilities in a cap and suit.”
Broad distribution for the series will be announced in the near future. Be sure to follow USA Water Polo’s social channels for updates and more information about “Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey.”
