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Iranian Junior Men’s Water Polo Team Attend U.S. Olympic Qualifiers

Iranian Water Polo team at the U.S. FINA Men’s Junior World Water Polo Championship

Twenty-three Iranian water polo players and coaches traveled to the U.S. for a three-week program in August. The team participated in the FINA Men’s Junior World Water Polo Championship taking place in Long Beach, CA from August 18th through August 25th. After the competition, the Department, in cooperation with the U.S. Olympic Committee, organized for the Iranian team a comprehensive American cultural and sports experience that included interaction with American youth, collegiate and Olympic athletes as well as visits to distinctive American cultural sites. The team trained and scrimmaged with members of the water polo teams from Harvard Westlake School, Los Angeles Water Polo Club, and Concordia University. Overall, given the fast-pace of the program activities and travel the program proved to be very successful. Throughout the program, the participants were incredibly patient, flexible, motivated and hard working. Participants came away with an enhanced understanding their sport and of the U.S. as a result of the exchange. When not training, the Iranians visited the Queen Mary, went to Universal Studios Hollywood, and enjoyed Disneyland.

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