Members of the 2012 US Olympic Water Polo squad, from left, Ryan Bailey (who plays the team's center position), Jeff Powers (defender), Peter Varellas (attacker), Layne Beaubien (attacker), Jesse Smith (utility), and Adam Wright (attacker).

The team takes in a short scrimmage. For the core members of the 13-man squad, now in their mid-thirties, this is likely their last, best shot at gold. "For as many as seven or eight guys, I think this will be their last go-round," Coach Terry Schroeder says. “But it’s the Olympic Games – any shot is a great shot.”

Left, Jesse Smith challenges Ryan Bailey for the ball. Right, Smith takes a relaxing float.

Jesse Smith, left, looking quite at home in the water. The team’s intense training program includes nine practices a week, with just Sundays off. On a double day, players lift weights for about two hours in the morning followed by two hours of conditioning in the pool. Then they come back at night for two and a half hours in the pool, focused on actually playing the game.

Ryan Bailey is the team's center. "I’m a 36-year-old water polo player with no work experience," says Bailey. "This is all I’ve ever done – I haven’t been out of the water for more than five days in a row since I was eight."

Jesse Smith plays the utility position.

"Losing the gold medal stung," said Jeff Powers, on coming in second in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. 

Ryan Bailey, left, and Adam Wright, attacker. "There’s a group of about nine of us who have been together for 12-plus years," said Wright. "I would do anything for these guys."

Jesse Smith, left, and Peter Varellas, attacker.

"The two fundamental parts of the sport are sex and violence, says Layne Beaubien, left. "Despite that, no one has figured out how to market water polo in the States." On the right, Jeff Powers.

Jesse Smith smears on some sunscreen.

In the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the American men’s squad scored silver medals against steep competition. In 2012, the team has its sights set on gold.