The Pat Kenny Show Did water polo lead to the discovery of penicillin?
Nov 27, 2025
Cameron Hill, a journalist and contributor for Off The Ball, dives into the surprising connection between water polo and the discovery of penicillin. He shares the sport's rough origins and its brutal nature, highlighting notorious matches like the 1956 'Blood in the Water.' Cameron reveals that Alexander Fleming's choice of St. Mary's, influenced by his water polo experience, played a pivotal role in this groundbreaking scientific achievement. Expect a blend of sports history and fascinating science!
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Origins Of Water Polo
- Water polo developed from 18th-century river games using inflated pig bladders and evolved into organised aquatic football and polo-style rules.
- The sport formalised in the late 19th century with competing English and Scottish codes merging into international rules by 1892.
Rules That Tame Physicality
- Modern water polo fields seven players per side, plays on pools about 20–30m long, and penalises violent acts with temporary exclusions or ejections.
- The term 'brutality foul' and 4-minute ejection illustrate how the sport formalised responses to its inherent physicality.
A Brutal, Crowd-Pulling Sport
- Early water polo relied more on brute strength than skill and included underwater wrestling that left players barely conscious.
- Some matches drew huge crowds, with reports of up to 14,000 spectators in New York City.