Water polo | Around the globe in 92 days

(Tokyo) Canadian polo gamers left the nation on Could 10. Since then; they believe lived in your suitcases. Like rock stars. They visited California. Italy. Greece. Hungary. Japan. A 92-day world tour that can terminate right here in Tokyo with the Olympic match.

His odyssey is extraordinary. Particularly in the course of a pandemic.

“It’s surely probably the most demanding human and sporting expertise I believe ever had;” says Axelle Crevier.

The journey started lengthy prior the start. Again in January; when the nationwide workforce requested the gamers to depart their houses to move out collectively. An important situation to be qualified to coach with contact. It was a shock. Particularly for many who share their life as a pair.

-We had 36 hours to move out;– says Joelle Bekhazi. It ready us for what was tojournaltimee. Over the following a number of weeks; they appeared for a approach to confront different groups with out having to pause coaching for 14 days after they returned house. It was inconceivable. It was then that the daft notion of ​​leaving and neverjournaltimeing again till the terminate of the Olympics was born.

Yarn of a dizzying journey.

CALIFORNIA

First pause: Anaheim; California. For a seven-game collection in opposition to the reigning Olympic champion Individuals.

-It was incredible unbelievable improbable astonishing; ecstatic Joelle Bekhazi. Conceived. We believe been residing in a stringent bubble in Montreal for 3 months. There; we lastly obtained to play actual matches. Fade to the seashore. Fade believe a picnic. Fade see sunsets. Our life was completely distinct. As well as; we had two big homes with swimming swimming pools. There was even a chef who cooked our meals for us on web site. It was like a puny trip. ”

“It was a whole lot of enjoyable;” provides Axelle Crevier. It had been so lengthy since we had an opportunity to play. Being collectively in a match. To be qualified to to receive a benefit and/or satisfaction from doing something. Montreal. We have been qualified to confront the Individuals; who’re the perfect on the planet factual now. We had a remarkable exercise. As the beginning of the journey; it was  flawless. ”

ITALY

Following California; the poloistas headed to Italy. They keep their baggage in Recco; a insignificant coastal city close Genoa. Axelle Crevier was on acquainted floor: he performed three years for golf equipment within the north of the peninsula.

-I used to be qualified to seek out buddies that I had met after I was enjoying there. As well as; it’s a tremendous  pleasant area. And Italian meals… I am a vast fan.

– Did you prepare dinner on your teammates?

– Ha ha ha ! No. As an example I am a heavy shopper. ”

Joelle Bekhazi additionally has fond reminiscences of her time in Italy. -Recco is extraordinarily gorgeous. To see in your life. After we arrived; we had our two doses of vaccine. We may to leave a place or area you’re in. for espresso or gelatos. It was remarkable. And our pool… Ayoye! She was within the water. I must ship you photographs. I used to be ill. ”

GREECE

Following a brief keep in Ostia; close Rome; the Canadians landed in Athens for the World League Tremendous Remaining. Ajournaltimepetition that; as its identify suggests; brings collectively the elite of water polo. It was additionally a possibility for the Canadian workforce tojournaltimepare itself to different groups; simply weeks prior the Olympics.

“From a sporting standpoint; it was very thrilling;” says Joelle Bekhazi. We believe to recollect the place wejournaltimee from. Final  topple; for 4 months; we have been unable to play our sport with contact. It was not superb. Throughout this time; the opposite nations had resumed coaching usually. We could not wait to to become aware of something or someone. the place we have been. ”

How did that occur ?

Moderately. They gained their first 4 matches; prior shedding within the semifinals to Hungary after which to Russia within the bronze medal match. “A qualified consequence”; in response to Axelle. He particularly satisfied us that each one the sacrifices of the former yr; such because the plod; have been price it –; provides his accomplice.

The workforce then adopted up with a week-long coaching camp within the south of the nation. That was lower than nice. -It was hard; admits Joelle Bekhazi. Following a match; you’re drained. You desire to depart house. Overlook about water polo for a couple of days. There it was inconceivable. It was robust on morale. ”

Axelle Crevier confirms. -Following six video games; our physique was a bit shocked. We had gathered a whole lot of exhaust . As well as; the sanitary laws have been extreme. We could not even depart for a stroll. We had no area to ventilate ourselves. It was not superb. ”

NAXOS

To underline the hassle of the polo gamers; the coaches supplied them a prize. A 4 day trip. In Naxos. The Pearl of the Cyclades. A well timed relaxation: the gamers have been exhausted.

The women rented ATVs to tour the island. They bathed in a turquoise sea. They flooded their Instagram accounts with spectacularly embellished photographs. “It was magical;” says Joelle Bekhazi. My dream was to journey to the Greek islands. And I used to be not disenchanted. Once I informed my husband about my days in Montreal; he questioned; -However what are you doing? Execute you actually prepare? [Rires] »

-It was the remaining we wanted. From the start of the journey; our life was completely settled. We now not had a routine there. It actually cheered us up. ”

For Axelle Crevier; the pause in Naxos was a key second for the Canadian workforce. -It was heavenly. Right here we additionally have fun our official qualification for the Video games with a couple of bottles of champagne. Let’s simply say it appeared qualified! ”

HUNGARY

An necessary week. This was the final  time; prior the Video games; that the Canadian workforce was qualified to play in opposition to different groups.

“There; the measures in opposition to the virus have been very stringent;” says Joelle Bekhazi. On the resort; there have been now not two of us per room. You needed to sleep alone. At first; we weren’t certain. However you realize what? It was a qualified factor. Everybody wanted this. ”

-In California;– provides Axelle Crevier; -we have been very satisfied to satisfy once more. To consume  collectively. However there; following two months of journey; we solely needed single rooms in order that we could not to have a conversation with someone. one another for a couple of hours. ”

JAPAN

The subsequent journey to Japan was the longest. And probably the most painful. In whole; it took 37 hours to obtain from Hungary to town of Morioka. The journey was notably marked by a 6-hour wait on the Japanese border; then a 10-hour bus journey from Tokyo to Morioka; web site of the final  preparatory camp prior the Video games.

-It was dreadful; leaving Joelle Bekhazi. Additionally; we obtained jet lagged. For 2 days we didn’t sleep. Regardless of all the things; we needed to prepare. It took us a qualified week to recuperate. ”

-It was heavy; agrees Axelle Crevier. However fortunate to believe arrived earlier. Within the Olympic Village I meet athletes who’re arriving and who will believe to carry out in two days. Critically; I do not understand how they’ll execute it. ”

In Morioka; sanitary requirements have been even stricter than in Hungary. The gamers have been confined to the resort and coaching  middle. The workforce’s psychological readiness advisor; Véronique Richard; organized a particular exercise to  transform their minds. A remarkable Homicide Thriller sport; which has been very triumphant. “It went on for hours;” says Joelle Bekhazi. There are women who have been actually in his character. It was enjoyable. ”

The journey is nowjournaltimeing to an terminate. Solely two weeks left. They are going to be devoted to the Olympic match. Following that; everybody on the workforce will return to Canada with a head packed of reminiscences.

And perhaps with a medal round his neck.

The Canadians confront the Australians on Saturday at 2:30 am EDT.