Team USA got their campaign off to a winning start on Saturday by beating Greece and will next play Spain on Monday. But the camp has been rocked by the sudden passing of Steffens' family member.
Steffens said "She was so excited for the Olympic Games. We’re really close. She’s the light of the world. She just brings so much joy to everyone. She always brings people together.
"My team has been a really big support system for me," she told the outlet of grappling with the shocking loss. I’ve been obviously really struggling, and my husband as well, and his entire family. I mean, it’s a nightmare, and it’s completely shocking.
"But I think just feeling her spirit here is, like I said, it’s amazing. And I hope that we can make her proud every single day."
It is unclear when Lulu passed away but team captain Steffens dud confirm that she dropped a bouquet of flowers into the Seine during Friday's opening ceremony.
She did play in the victory over Greece and scored twice, with nine players contributing to the 15 goals scored. Coach Adam Krikorian vowed to honor Lulu in the rest of the competition. He said: "It’s been a shock for everyone. I don’t know the circumstances. But it’s a devastating time for Bobby and his family and for Maggie.”
Krikorian suffered his own family tragedy at the Olympics in Rio in 2016. His older brother died after suffering a heart attack days before the Games got underway. He flew back to the States to be with his family before returning to Brazil.
He said: “It’s not something you’re ever prepared for,” Krikorian said. “Maggie knows my pain and sorrow — I’ve shared that with her. The pain and shock are the things that stick out.”
Team USA has won gold at each of the last three Olympics in Toko, Rio and London, having last tasted defeat in the final in Beijing back in 2008.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0