Tragedy before the Olympics: Maggie Steffens lost a loved one
30 july 2024 в 02:13
Maggie Steffens and her family experienced a heavy loss before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris.
On Tuesday, July 23, Lulu Conner — the daughter-in-law of the captain of the US water polo team Maggie Steffens — passed away at the age of 26 after arriving in the city to support Steffens in her quest for a fourth consecutive gold medal with the American team.
According to the Associated Press, Maggie, who married Lulu’s brother Bobby Conner in November, shared that she and her family are still trying to determine exactly what happened, but described the situation as a «medical emergency».
«She was so excited for the Olympic Games», - Steffens said tearfully. «We were very close. She was a light in the world. She brought so much joy to everyone. She always brought people together».
Lulu Conner was an artist — she made her own version of the USA Water Polo Flavor Flav clock for the Olympics — a graduate of the University of California, Davis, and one of three sisters.
«It definitely helps to play», - Steffens said. «I'm kind of out of my mind right now. And I just keep reminding myself of what Lulu would want and who she was. How can I embody her spirit in the best way? Lulu was a person who gave 150% in everything she did».
Steffens, 31, scored two goals and played 21 and a half minutes on the field as the US defeated Greece 15−6 on the first day of the women’s tournament on Saturday. She is the all-time leading scorer in Olympic history with 58 goals.
In a sweet tribute to Lulu, Maggie threw a bouquet of flowers into the Seine River from the US team boat during the opening ceremony on July 26.
But as she continues her Olympic journey in 2024, Maggie has huge support behind her — including head coach Adam Krikorian, whose own brother passed away shortly before the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
«Just show her love and support», - Adam explained to the Associated Press. «You know, it’s important for her to be there for Bobby and his family. It’s a tough time for them, and giving her a little freedom to spend time with them, I think, is extremely important».
«It's going to be a very difficult couple of weeks for all of us», - Maggie admitted. «My team has been a huge support for me. I, obviously, am very much in pain, and so is my husband, and his whole family. It’s a nightmare, and it’s completely shocking».
She continued: «But I think just feeling her spirit here — it’s amazing. And I hope that we can make her proud every day»
On Tuesday, July 23, Lulu Conner — the daughter-in-law of the captain of the US water polo team Maggie Steffens — passed away at the age of 26 after arriving in the city to support Steffens in her quest for a fourth consecutive gold medal with the American team.
According to the Associated Press, Maggie, who married Lulu’s brother Bobby Conner in November, shared that she and her family are still trying to determine exactly what happened, but described the situation as a «medical emergency».
«She was so excited for the Olympic Games», - Steffens said tearfully. «We were very close. She was a light in the world. She brought so much joy to everyone. She always brought people together».
Lulu Conner was an artist — she made her own version of the USA Water Polo Flavor Flav clock for the Olympics — a graduate of the University of California, Davis, and one of three sisters.
«It definitely helps to play», - Steffens said. «I'm kind of out of my mind right now. And I just keep reminding myself of what Lulu would want and who she was. How can I embody her spirit in the best way? Lulu was a person who gave 150% in everything she did».
Steffens, 31, scored two goals and played 21 and a half minutes on the field as the US defeated Greece 15−6 on the first day of the women’s tournament on Saturday. She is the all-time leading scorer in Olympic history with 58 goals.
In a sweet tribute to Lulu, Maggie threw a bouquet of flowers into the Seine River from the US team boat during the opening ceremony on July 26.
But as she continues her Olympic journey in 2024, Maggie has huge support behind her — including head coach Adam Krikorian, whose own brother passed away shortly before the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
«Just show her love and support», - Adam explained to the Associated Press. «You know, it’s important for her to be there for Bobby and his family. It’s a tough time for them, and giving her a little freedom to spend time with them, I think, is extremely important».
«It's going to be a very difficult couple of weeks for all of us», - Maggie admitted. «My team has been a huge support for me. I, obviously, am very much in pain, and so is my husband, and his whole family. It’s a nightmare, and it’s completely shocking».
She continued: «But I think just feeling her spirit here — it’s amazing. And I hope that we can make her proud every day»
© Kolganov Andrey
