RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — U.S. women’s water polo coach Adam Krikorian has left the team to be with his family after one of his two older brothers died.
He plans to return Monday, the team said. The U.S. plays Spain in its Olympic opener Tuesday.
Krikorian coached the U.S. to its first Olympic gold medal in women’s water polo at the London Games. The team is favored to win again in Rio de Janeiro.
Blake Krikorian was the co-founder of pioneering video streaming device Slingbox and a beloved businessman in Silicon Valley. His colleagues took to social media to mourn his death.
Blake Krikorian died Wednesday at 48, the San Mateo County Coroner’s office said. Deputy Coroner Danielle Beckman declined to provide further details. But Coroner Robert Foucrault told the San Francisco Chronicle that Krikorian 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.
Krikorian and brother Jason came up with the concept for Slingbox when unable to find a way to watch San Francisco Giants games while away on business, according to the newspaper.
Adam and Blake Krikorian played water polo for UCLA, and Adam Krikorian also coached at the school.
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Associated Press writer Janie Har in San Francisco contributed to this report.
