American water polo star Maggie Stephens and her family have been dealt a major blow with the death of her sister-in-law just days before the start of the Paris Olympics.
Lulu Conner, 26, died Tuesday after traveling to Paris to cheer on Stephens and other members of the women’s water polo team, who are seeking their fourth consecutive gold medal.
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Maggie Stephens during a qualifying match against Greece for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
His family described the circumstances leading to his death as a “medical emergency.”
“She was really excited about the Olympics,” Stephens told The Associated Press. “We get along really well. She’s the light of the world. She brings so much joy to everyone. She always brings people together.”
Stephens added that playing games helps her forget the sadness. She scored two goals in the U.S. team’s win over Greece on Saturday.
“Acting definitely helps,” Steffens said. “Right now I feel like I’m out of my body in a way, and I’m trying to remind myself what Lulu would have wanted, who she was, how I can best embody her spirit. And Lulu was someone who gave 150 percent to everything she did.”
Maggie Stevens scores a goal against Spain during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France, Monday, July 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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Stephens, the highest-scoring woman in Olympic history, married 31-year-old Bobby Connor in Puerto Rico in November.
During his coverage of the opening ceremony, NBC reported that Stephens tossed a small bouquet of flowers into the Seine in memory of Connor.
“It’s going to be a really tough few weeks for all of us,” she said. “My team has been really supportive of me, and obviously me, my husband and his whole family, it’s really hard on us. It’s a real nightmare, it’s a real shock. But just to have her spirit here, like I said, is just wonderful, and I hope that we can make her proud every day.”
Maggie Stephens speaks to reporters during a press conference ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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The United States lost to Spain 13-11 on Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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