London Olympics: Water Polo

The London 2012 Water Polo competitions take place in the temporary Water Polo Arena opposite the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park from Sunday 29 July until Sunday 12 August. An aquatic version of rugby that developed in the 19th century, Water Polo today is more like submerged handball - although players are required to wear swimming hats with built in ear protectors, much like the skull caps used on the rugby field. Each game starts with a "swim-off" - a race for the ball in the centre of the pool. Teams of seven play matches divided into four quarters of eight minutes. When in control of the ball, teams only have 30 seconds to score in the 3m by 90cm goals before the ball is returned to the opposition. Staggeringly, none of the players are allowed to touch the sides or the bottom of the pool during play - which means constant treading water (or "eggbeating") and swimming distances of up to three miles per match. Men's Water Polo has been played since the 1900 Games in Paris and Hungary are the current Olympic champions. The women's event started in the 2000 Sydney Games with a home win for Australia; the Netherlands are the reigning champions.