The magnificent 1 + 12

Baron Pierre De Coubertin, father of modern Olympic Games, was saying that “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part”. Believing or not this famous quote we go back to see the Water Polo's “Magnificent 1 + 11” players who did, in fact, participate most times at the Olympics:

6 participations

Manuel Estiarte, Spain: 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000

5 participations

Paul Radmilovic, Great Britain: 1908, 1912,1920, 1924, 1928 Dezso Gyarmati, Hungary: 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964 Gianni De Magistris, Italy: 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984 George Mavrotas, Greece : 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 Jordi Sans, Spain : 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 Salvador Gomez, Spain : 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 Jesus Rolan, Spain: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004. Tibor Benedek, Hungary 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008. Tamas Kasas, Hungary 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, Giorgos Afroudakis (Greece) 1996, 2000,2004, 2008, 2012, Tony Azevedo (USA) 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and Stefano Tempesti ( Italy): 2000-2004-2008-2012-2016

1979: Balen – Fernandez – Gassmann

Alfren Balen, the legendary Coach of Wasserfreunde Spandau 04, Berlin  while coaching Armand Fernandez in 1979. Uwe Gassman attentively follows his mentor.

Source: private collection 

1980, Moscow: Tribute to the legendary Vladimir Akimov.

Vladimir Akimov was born on July 20th, 1953 in a large family of 5 children. His older brother Anatoly Akimov has been Olympic Champion in Munich 1972 Olympics Games. Vladimir Akimov played for the team of Moscow Navy CSK multiple winner of the USSR National Championship. He was USSR Champion in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983 and USSR Cup winner 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982. He won the European Cup 1976, the Super Cup in 1976, 1980, 1982 and Cup Winners' Cup in 1980, 1982. He was member of the USSR National team winning the gold medal in Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, in Guayaquil (Ecuador) 1982 World Championships and the silver medal in Split 1981 European Championships. Vladimir Akimov is considered as one of the best defenders of the World in mid 70's, early 80's. He passed away tragically October 5, 1987. His son Roman, honors the memory of his father, 60 years from the date of his birth, with a short video, using rare footage of the USSR National team playing against the teams of Hungary and Yugoslavia in Moscow 1980 Olympics. 

The magnificent 1 + 10

Baron Pierre De Coubertin, father of modern Olympic Games, was saying that “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part”. Believing or not this famous quote we go back to see the Water Polo's “Magnificent 1 + 10” players who did, in fact, participate most times at the Olympics: 
6 participations
Manuel Estiarte, Spain: 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000
5 participations
Paul Radmilovic, Great Britain: 1908, 1912,1920, 1924, 1928 Dezso Gyarmati, Hungary: 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964 Gianni De Magistris, Italy: 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984 George Mavrotas, Greece : 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 Jordi Sans, Spain : 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 Salvador Gomez, Spain : 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 Jesus Rolan, Spain: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004. Tibor Benedek, Hungary 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008. Tamas Kasas, Hungary 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and Giorgos Afroudakis (Greece) 1996, 2000,2004, 2008, 2012 

1928: The legendary Erich Rademacher

Erich Rademacher (1901-1979), the legendary goalie of "Hellas Magdeburg", and the German National team, winner of gold medal in Amsterdam 1928 Olympics and silver medal in Los Angeles 1932 Olympics.
Source: http://www.wasserball-magdeburg.eu/

1950's: The legendary Jobo Kurtini

The legendary player of P.K. Primorje Rijeka and the Yugoslavian National team of the 50's Ivica Jobo Kurtini.

Source: http://www.lokalpatrioti-rijeka.com

1975: Claudio Mistrangelo and Dr. Giovanni Selis

Dr. Giovanni Selis (1925-2008), has been a great personality and one of the most important promoters of Water Polo in the town of Savona (Liguria-Italy). For 30 years (from 1948 until 1978), Dr. Selis offered his services to the Club "Amatori Nuoto Savona" (renamed later to "Rari Nantes Savona"), at first as a player and then as official. He supported the development of a serious Water Polo program in the Club, which later on under the technical leadership of Claudio Mistrangelo, became one of the most solid and prestigious Water Polo programs in Italy and Europe. Dr. Selis is recognized as a man of vision who managed to convinced the local authorities to build in 1954 the outdoor pool and in 1972 the indoor pools of Savona. In 1974 the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), recognizing his contribution offered him the special award of "Stella de Bronzo per meriti sportivi".

Vlaho "Bata" Orlic: In memoriam

Vlaho "Bata" Orlic, (1934-2010) the mentor of Yugoslavian Water Polo, was born into the historic Adriatic city of Kotor. He studied medical doctor but he never practiced medicine devoting his entire life to coaching. Vlaho "Bata" Orlic, was the creator of the epic team of Partizan Belgrade, winning six European National Champions cups in the 70's. He coached the National team of Yugoslavia in Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976. Considered as one of the most brilliant Water Polo minds in the World, he brought Yugoslavia on the top, while he educated with care, many ex-athletes and promising young coaches such as (and among many others) Ratko Rudic and Nicola Stamenic. Stamenic said about him: “ Mr. Orlic is a genius and not just in Water polo; He has a unique perspective, a different way of looking at things. He presents things in a way and makes me think. He will never say: Do this or do that. He stands on ethics. There is no question of his motives, honesty and integrity"

1946: The emblematic Alex Jany

Cover of the French Sports newspaper Miroir Sprint of 1946 with the picture of the emblematic French swimmer and Water Polo player Alex Jany (1929-2001).
Source: Miroir Sprint 1946

1907: The legendary Paul Radmilovic

The legendary Paulo Francesco "Raddy" Radmilovic (5 March 1886-29 September 1968) winner of four Olympic titles in a 22 year Olympic career. He won four gold medals across three succesive Olympic Games. In 1928 he was the first person to compete for Britain at five Olympic Games.
Source: httl://www.gtj.org.uk/

1970: Lonzi, Spinelli, D'Altrui and Zoloymy

Gianni Lonzi, Brunello Spinelli, Geppino D'Altrui and Bandy Zoyomy at the awarding of "golden distinction" of CONI, in Rome Italy, 1970.
Source: courtesy of Marco D'Altrui.

1970: Zolyomy, Majoni and D'Altrui

Bandy Zoyomy along with Mario Majoni and Geppino D'Altrui at the awarding of "golden distinction" by the President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) Gulio Onesti held in Rome Italy on 18 December 1970.
Source: courtesy of Marco D'Altrui.

1950: Emilio Bulgarelli and Bandy Zolyomy

In 1950 Bandy Zolyomy coach of Club Natacion Barcelona and the Spanish National team invites the Italian Emilio Bulgarelli, Olympic winner with Italy in London 1948, to assist his plan to develop Water Polo into various regions of Spain, such as Andalucia, Galicia, Asturias, Baleares, Canarias etc.
Source: Marca; 27 June 1950.

1956: The legendary Cesare Rubini

Cesare Rubibi (born 1923), holds the distinct and unparalleled honour of beeing inducted into two International Halls of Fame in two Sports; Water Polo and Basketball. In Basketball as both a player abd a coach from 1941 to 1978, he won 15 Italian National Championships. In Water Polo Rubini won the gold medals at the 1947 European Championship and the next year the gold at London 1948 Olympics. In 1952 he won the bronze at Helsinki Olympics and in 1954 the bronze at the European Championships. During his career, he won six Italian Championships as a player and coach for Canottieri Olona Milano, Rari Nantes Napoli and Rari Nantes Camogli.
Source: Sport Illustrato 12 Aprile 1956; http://www.ishof.org/

1969: The legendary Eraldo Pizzo

Cover of the Italian magazin NUOTO of 1969 presenting the legendary player of Pro Recco Eraldo Pizzo.
Source: NUOTO 15 May 1969

1963: The legendary Dezső Gyarmati

Cover of the Hungarian Sports magazine “Kepes Sport” presenting the legendary Dezső Gyarmati. Considered as one of the most successful player of all time, he participated at five Summer Olympics, winning gold medals with the Hungarian National team at Helsinki 1952, Melbourne 1956 and Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. His team received the silver medal at London 1948 Olympics and the bronze medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
Source: Magazine Kepes Sport; 16 July 1963 (courtesy of Mrs Szofia Vilo).

1936: James Roy Smith

James Roy Smith author of the book “Playing and coaching Water Polo” published in 1936.
Source: “Playing and coaching Water Polo”

1910: Louis de Breda Handley

Louis de Breda Handley, considered as one of the pioneers of US Water Polo and swimming, was born in Rome in 1874. He came to New York in 1896 and joined the Knickerbocker Atheltic Club then the New York Athletic Club, where he competed successfully in Football, Water polo, Yachting and Swimming. In the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games, he won gold medals in both Water Polo and relay swimming as a member of the winning U.S. teams.
Photo: How to Play Water Polo by L. deB. Handley, Spalding’s Athletic Library,

1979: The legendary Istvan Szivos, Jr.

Front cover of the Hungarian Sports magazine “Kepes Sport” presenting the legendary centre forward Istvan Szivos, Jr., winner of gold medal in Montreal 1976, silver in Munich 1972 and bronze medal in Mexico 1968 Olympic Games.
Source: Szivos family archives

1908: The legendary Paul Radmilovic

The legendary British player Paul Radmilovic who participated as swimmer and Water Polo player into five Olympic Games, winning quite a few gold medals.
Source: Supplement to ‘The 1908 Olympic Games, the Great Stadium and the Marathon’ by Bob Wilcock (marathon@societyofolympiccollectors.org)”