The Steffens family has added to their medal collection.
Olympian Maggie Steffens just became a three-time gold medalist, as the U.S. women’s water polo teamwon the title in Tokyoafter defeating Spain 14 to 5. Maggie, 28, is a seasoned pro on the world stage: she played for the team as they also won gold in London and in Rio.
“My sister is not only an amazing older sister, but she is an Olympic gold medalist and silver medalist,” Maggie told PEOPLE before leaving Tokyo earlier this month. “And I actually had my first kind of Olympic experience watching her as a fan. So I went in 2008 to be a fangirl for my older sister, where she won the silver medal. And that for me was where I think the Olympic dream felt like it could be a reality.”
Maggie and Jessica Steffens in 2012.Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
There was a particularly sweet moment during her sister’s team’s final match in 2008, when her dad, also a water polo player, looked at Maggie — then just 15 — and said, “All right, now it’s your turn.”
In a way, Jessica was another parent of sorts for Maggie, guiding her in water polo and in life, she explained: “She went to Stanford, I went to Stanford. She went to grad school, I went to grad school. She went to the Olympics, I went to the Olympics.”
The Tokyo Olympics' Team USA women’s water polo team.Atsushi Tomura/Getty
Maggie said she read one of the notes “before every game.”
“She knows exactly what I need to get through these big moments. She knows exactly how to challenge me, but also knows exactly how to support me,” explained Maggie. “Sometimes you need somebody to remind you like, ‘Hey, you’ve done this, you’ve prepared. You’re ready, and now just go enjoy, we’re here. No matter what, we love you. We’re a part of this with you. Your team is with you,’ and that was something that was kind of nice to just read and check-in.”
source: people.com
