Summer and Winter Olympians are separated by the seasons, obviously, but it appears that there can be crossovers. Several athletes have achieved the honour of marching under a nation’s banner at different times of the year.

What we are thinking is signing up some superstar winter Olympians and putting them in a water polo pool. After all, water polo and winter sports both enjoy water, even if the frozen kind creates kicks for the alpine athletes.

Water polo scouts could have sought their future summer Olympians from the slopes of Milano-Cortina. There was an abundance of talent among those who could cross over.

Let’s look where winter abilities could be transposed in the water polo pool.

Water polo requires the eggbeater kick to keep afloat. Here’s a no-brainer. Look for mogul skiers, as their trampoline training is much like endless pool crossings using only their legs. Aussie gold medallist Cooper Woods and USA’s Elizabeth Lemley.

In water polo the third quarter is normally the turning point. This is where you need a cross-country skier, especially like Norway’s Johannes Klaebo whose gold-medal plundering lifted him above the rest to 11 gold medals with six in Cortina. In several races, it was the final segment where he impressed the most. After all, he is now second behind the great Michael Phelps in Olympic gold medals, albeit 13 behind — both with an affinity for water.

Every team needs a spokesman for those insightul flash quotes and press conferences after an event. The delights of hearing someone with a medal exuding confidence and glee, and wishing to get the news out to their countrymen. Perhaps Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid could fit the bill. He showed that winning a bronze medal was a good time to point out a few home truths to his loved one back home. Water polo needs these kind of people to get attention.

Goalkeepers are a breed among themselves. I have a friend who was a triple international water polo player and he wrote a book about goalkeeping. Basically, the principles of goalkeeping are the same. In water polo, the ball arrives at 95km/h. In ice hockey, the puck arrives at light speed. Trying to encourage ice hockey goalkeepers to shed tonnes of protective clothing for what the Aussies call budgy-smugglers might be a huge ask. We would encourage them to leave their sticks at home, however.

The sprinter is all-important in winning the ball at the start of quarters. Short-track skaters are obviously the choice to fill these positions and 500m stars in particular. Pencil in phone calls to the gold medallists — Canada’s Steven Dubois and the Netherlands Xandra Velzeboer. Referees have to check players for sharp fingernails before a match. Perhaps the covers would have to be left on the blades?

There must be room for the ski jumpers. They could launch an attack from the changing rooms, soar above the field and land in the goal, ball in hand. Make a note of Domen Prevc (SLO) and Anna Odine Strom (NOR). Might be tough to keep them from overshooting the goal.

Playing in indoor pools would make it easy to create snow, helping winter athletes feel at home. It would also add to the spectacle and keep the water cool — a dual bonus.

Hard to think how the biathlon skiers could fit into a water polo team. However, sharpshooters are required like in most sports. Getting the weapons to float could be a drawback. Referees might not look favourably on weapons strapped on backs.

Downhill racers could act as the drivers, wending their way through the traffic toward the goal. There’s still time for Lindsey Vonn (USA) to make a comeback in time for the LA 2028 Olympics. Softer landings in water.

How about the figure skaters? They would bring a touch of class and glide around the pool with ease. It would be tricky timing a pass to them as they pirouetted and twizzled. Tossing the female partner in the air to gain an advantage is not allowed in water polo, but exceptions could be made.

All in all, there’s plenty of scope for water polo scouts to ponder. At least all these athletes have OLY after their names, so they have the required guts, determination and aptitude to make that all-important switch.

Flavor Flav Turning Up the Volume and the Vibes for Water Polo, From Paris to Milano-Cortina