Tokyo, Japan - Head men's and women's water polo and swimming and diving coach Chris Oeding is back at the Olympic Games, serving as assistant coach to the United States Women's Water Polo Senior National Team, a position he has held since 2013.
Oeding had taken a sabbatical in anticipation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games that were postponed due to COVID-19.
Now finally in Tokyo, Oeding took some time to answer questions about his experiences as an Olympian and how these games are different due to the COVID-19 numbers still affecting the host city and the current Olympians.
LBCC Vikings: How long have you been in Tokyo? What have you been able to do in your free time?
Oeding: We arrived in Tokyo on July 14 and spent a week in the local city of Chiba training with the Dutch National Team. We have been COVID testing daily and restricted to our hotel rooms if not at the pool or in the dining hall. We checked into the Olympic Village on July 21 and hope to have a little more freedom to get out and explore what the village has to offer.
LBCC Vikings: What is your favorite Olympic memory so far?
Oeding: Checking into the village is a special experience. Not only is it a realization that the days, weeks, and months of preparation have brought you to this moment, it is a global celebration of sport and competition to come.
LBCC Vikings: What is the atmosphere like in the Olympic Village and around Team USA?
Oeding: The Olympic Village is always buzzing. You can feel the energy and excitement for the games to begin. The dining hall experience is unique with food from around the world served in a cafeteria that caters to over 10 thousand athletes and staff members 24 hours a day.
LBCC Vikings: You competed in two Olympic Games in water polo. How does it feel to be back now as a coach?
Oeding: There is nothing like competing as an athlete at an Olympic Games, as it is the pinnacle event of a sporting career. Having the opportunity to share my experiences with this group of athletes and share in their journey has been extraordinary.
LBCC Vikings: As assistant coach, what role do you play and what responsibilities do you have?
Oeding: My role is to support Head Coach Adam Krikorian in any way that I can. My responsibilities are many, but my main focus is working with the center position players along with providing swim conditioning and running warm ups.
LBCC Vikings: What have been the biggest challenges for you and the USA Women's Senior National Water Polo Team over the past year and a half during COVID-19?
Oeding: The initial challenge was accepting the fact that the games had been postponed after being deep into preparation for Tokyo 2020. Also, the inability to continue training or have any contact with teammates was tough. The recent challenges have been reestablishing fitness, team chemistry, individual skills, teamwork, and competitive experience.
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LBCC Vikings: While coaching at the 2019 CCCAA Men's Water Polo Championships, the Senior Women's National Team came out to
Golden West College to support you and the team. What did that mean to you, and how has your relationship with the team grown over time?
Oeding: That was a surprise! It meant a lot that they took time out of their day to collectively come support our team.
I feel like that was a representation of the character of those women as a whole.
LBCC Vikings: Team USA is the only women's water polo team to win medals in five straight Olympic Games. What is the expectation for the
team this year?
Oeding: I think you answered that question with your question... haha! The team expectation is to perform in a way that represents their values.
And if they are able to do that, they will have a great opportunity for success.
LBCC Vikings: Who do you feel is the United States' biggest rival or opponent these games?
Oeding: There are a lot of highly competitive teams in the world today that all play a slightly different variation of the game. The Netherlands,
Spain, Australia, Hungary, Russia, and Canada are all teams that we are competing with to stand on the podium.
LBCC Vikings: You've found success at so many levels, both as an athlete and as a coach. What do you feel are the biggest secrets to your
success?
Oeding: I've had great teachers and role models along the way and I've always had a love for the sport and helping student-athletes push their
limits and achieve their goals.
Team USA is in Group B and opens up competition on Friday, July 23 against Japan at 10 p.m. PT. The full United States women's water polo schedule is below:
Group B
Friday, July 23 (10 p.m. PT) - Japan
Sunday, July 25 (10 p.m. PT) - China
Tuesday, July 27 (10 p.m. PT) - Hungary
Thursday, July 29 (11:30 p.m. PT) - Russia
Monday-Tuesday, Aug. 2-3 - Quarterfinals
Wednesday-Thursday, Aug. 4-5 - Semifinals
Friday, Aug. 6 - Bronze Medal Match, Fifth Place Match, Seventh Place Match
Saturday, Aug. 6 - Gold Medal Match
The Tokyo Games Opening Ceremony begins at 3:55 a.m. PT on Friday, July 23.