Three-Time U.S. Men’s Water Polo Olympian Alex Obert Retires
Alex Obert, a three-time Olympian and member of the U.S. men’s bronze medal squad from Paris, announced his retirement Thursday.
Obert won three gold medals at the Pan American Games. He reached two Super Finals, taking silver medals for the U.S., with which he spent nearly a decade.
“(Water polo) has given me so much over the last 20 years, culminating in the incredible honor of becoming an Olympic medalist,” Obert said in a USA Water Polo press release. “When I started playing water polo, I could never have dreamed of the career I would have, but more importantly, of the amazing people it would bring into my life.
“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all my coaches, especially Stu Ryland, Bruce Hastie, James Graham, and Dejan Udovicic. Each one of you has given me so much. I will always be grateful for your guidance and support. To my parents – my No. 1 fans and coaches from the very beginning – thank you. I would never have reached my dreams without the sacrifices you made to get me there. Your love and support mean the world to me.”
The 32-year-old followed an unconventional pathway from Loomis, California, where he split time between polo and basketball. He started at Sierra College in Northern California before transferring to the University of the Pacific, where he was a three-time All-American, Cutino Award finalist and 2013 NCAA finalist, scoring 157 goals. He represented New York Athletic Club domestically and played club water polo with VK Jug in Croatia and Hydraikos in Greece.
Obert was among the first wave of players brought in by new coach Dejan Udovicic in 2013. He became a mainstay at two meters, scoring 11 goals at the Tokyo Olympics for an American team that finished sixth. After time away from the pool to start a family, he returned in the summer of 2023 for the final year to the Paris Olympics.
Obert helped the U.S. qualify for Paris by winning the Pan Am Games. He scored five goals as the U.S. finished a disappointing ninth in the 2024 World Championships in Doha, then provided two goals, four blocks and 14 fouls drawn in the Paris Games en route to bronze.
“He is the example of hard work meeting opportunity,” Udovicic said. “He was not the most recruited athlete and did not play at the most famous school but he wanted to be great and wanted to put in the hours. He did whatever our team needed. I am very pleased he was able to join us again for the road to Paris ending his career with a bronze medal. I’m proud to have been his coach. I thank him for all he did for Team USA and I wish him and his family the best.”
“A special thank you to my wife, who came into my life 13 years ago because of this sport and has changed (my life) forever,” Obert said of wife Michele (nee Relton), a Canadian youth international who graduated as Pacific’s all-time saves leader. “To everyone from Loomis to UOP, and to the entire nation who has supported me throughout my career, I am deeply thankful. Finally, to all my brothers who I’ve had the privilege of suiting up with: The bonds we’ve built over the years are what I will cherish and miss the most.”