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TOKYO – U.S. men’s water polo captain Jesse Smith will skip the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday after the USOPC has decided how many players on his team can take part in the festivities.
Olympic water polo rosters consist of 13 players, 12 designated as available for each game. Smith said the team told him by the USOPC they could walk 12 certified athletes to the gala.
“We tried to keep our team together and change it up with every build port, but it didn’t work, now it’s time to refocus on setting the game up,” Smith wrote on Twitter. “So tonight I’m sending my team out there to proudly represent (the United States) and enjoy every moment. Let’s go guys!”
The 38-year-old Smith is playing in his fifth Olympics, matching Tony Azevedo on most Olympic teams for an American water polo athlete. He was under consideration to be an American flag bearer at the opening ceremony before that honor went to baseball player Eddie Alvarez.
The 6-foot-4 Smith, who played in college at Pepperdine, won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the last time the United States won a medal at the tournament.
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