Adam Krikorian, U.S. Women’s Water Polo Coach, Leaves Rio Games After Brother Blake Krikorian’s Death

Adam Krikorian, the U.S. Women’s water polo coach, has left the Olympic team to be with his family after learning of his brother Blake Krikorian’s death, according to reports on Saturday.

Adam Krikorian Leaves U.S. Women’s Water Polo Team

Krikorian plans to return on Monday, the team said. The U.S. water polo team is set to play Spain in its Olympic opener on Tuesday.

Krikorian coached the U.S. to its first Olympic gold medal in women’s water polo at the London Games in 2012. The team is favored to win again in Rio.

Krikorian’s brother, Blake Krikorian, died on Wednesday at age 48, according to the San Mateo County Coroner’s office.

Deputy Coroner Danielle Beckman declined to offer further details of his death.

However, Coroner Robert Foucrault told the San Francisco Chronicle that Blake had gone paddle boarding in the San Francisco Bay Area and was found lying next to his car in the parking lot. Foucrault said it appears he died of natural causes.

Blake was a businessman in Silicon Valley and the co-founder of start-up video streaming service Slingbox — a concept he reportedly came up with after finding it difficult to watch San Francisco Giants games while away on business.

Adam and Blake both played water polo for UCLA, and soon after Adam went on to coach at the school.