USA MEN'S OLYMPIC WATER POLO TEAM

PLAYER PROFILE

One on one with Ryan Bailey;

Ryan, 32 years old is a returning Olympian from the 2000 games in Sydney and 2004 games in Athens considered by many to be one of the best centers in the world. Born in Los Angeles, CA, grew up in Long Beach and graduated from UC Irvine.

Q: Tell me about the pressures of trying to make the team for the 3rd time?

A: I don't feel pressure to make the team; I feel pressure to be one of the leaders on the team and to set a good example for the young players on the team.

Q: How do you prepare mentally?

A: I prepare for games by visualizing different actions that may happen during games. During warm-ups I concentrate on the coach's game plan. During the game, I feel it's important to focus on playing hard and not focus on the score.

Q: What would it mean to you to make the 2008 Team?

A: Making the Olympic team is a great accomplishment, but my goal is not to make the team but to be successful and to win a medal.

Q: What is the most satisfying experience you have had playing nationally or internationally?

A: After the 2004 Olympics. We finished 7th place but I knew that my teammates and I had done everything possible during the training and in our preparation for the games. We played at our highest possible level, were in the best shape of our lives, and put it all on the line. We didn't win, but it was satisfying to know that we held nothing back, and did the best we could. We only lost to the three medal teams.

Q: What is your favorite part of the game?

A: I love the physical aspects of the game, the one on one battles, and scoring a goal when your team really needs one.

Q: What is the most challenging part of the game?

A: The most challenging part is really the training. We train hard everyday, we lift hard in the gym, it's a very physically demanding sport and training becomes a grind. It's a good thing we are getting close to the Olympics so that I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Q: What is your greatest achievement?

A: I have received different individual awards but my dream is that my team and my greatest achievement is yet to come.

Q: What is the hardest fundamental for you to master?

A: I play center. The thing I really need to focus on is leg strength and to not lose my legs after I make one big move.

Q: How did you get started playing water polo?

A: My brother started playing before me. I kind of followed in his footsteps into the water.

Q: What do you like about representing USA?

A: It's an honor to represent the USA, but really for me, I love the guys that I play with and I am happy to go to war with them in the water.

Q: Anything you don't like about representing USA?

A: With all the success of our Athletics and Swimming teams, along with all the other great athletes representing the US, water polo kind of gets lost in the mix. It's too bad.

Q: If you could change anything you don't like what would it be?

A: Instead of getting older and coming to the end of my Olympic career, I would be getting younger, so that I could play more years. I feel like in the last three years I have finally been able to figure out the game. It seems like right when I have it all figured out its time to hang em up. I feel like I am still improving but I don't know for how long I can keep playing.

Q: What other hobbies do you have?

A: I like to read, do crossword puzzles, lift weights, surf, go to the beach, eat, and hang out with my family my girlfriend and my dog.

Submitted by Wayne Bean

wgbean@aol.com