Why the Olympic Games Remain the Ultimate Dream – Sean King on Tokyo, Youth & Digital Growth (Part 2)
“The Olympic Games Will Be Fascinating” – Sean King on Tokyo 2021, New Rules, Youth Development & the Future of Water Polo (Part 2)
In the second part of his conversation on the Waterpolo Expert Talk, former Great Britain national team player and current youth coach Sean King shares his deep insights into the impact of the Corona pandemic on water polo in the UK, the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, and the long-term challenges and opportunities for the global development of the sport.
Sean explains that in the UK, training during Corona was allowed mainly for athletes under 18, while adult team sports were heavily restricted. Schools with their own swimming pools were among the few places where water polo could continue almost constantly, leading to a huge regional imbalance in development. Many public swimming pools remained closed for months, often due to expensive technical repairs after shutdowns, which created serious structural problems for clubs across the country.
A central topic of this episode is the Olympic Games without spectators. Sean reflects on how different this experience will be compared to London 2012, where he played in front of a sold-out home crowd. Still, he makes one thing very clear: an Olympic medal will always remain an Olympic medal, regardless of empty stands. For athletes, Olympic gold remains the ultimate achievement in any circumstances.
He also discusses the new water polo rules, faster substitutions, more dynamic play and the role of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). While he welcomes technology for goal-line decisions, he also warns against too many interruptions that could slow the game down. In his view, water polo must become more attractive for new audiences without losing its identity.
Sean looks ahead to the Tokyo Olympic tournament and explains why it promises to be one of the most exciting in years. With powerhouses like Serbia, Hungary, Spain, Italy and Croatia, and exciting tactical influences from nations like Japan, the fight for medals is completely open. Each top nation now needs a unique playing style to gain an edge at the highest level.
Another major focus of the episode is the importance of media, streaming platforms and social media. Sean strongly believes that water polo must become more visible digitally to attract young athletes. Clubs and players both carry responsibility to promote the sport actively, show daily training life, matches and personalities, and create emotional access for the next generation.
Finally, Sean speaks about his own future. His playing career is slowly coming to an end, and his passion is now fully focused on youth coaching and long-term athlete development. He hopes to return into structured junior programs and help young players realize their dreams within water polo.
This episode is a thoughtful, forward-looking discussion about Olympic dreams, modern rules, digital growth, youth development and the future direction of international water polo.
