The U.S. women’s water polo team opens the Paris Olympics as the three-time defending gold medalists, but they’ll face stiff competition and some rivals from Europe in their quest for gold No. 4.

Reps for the U.S. women's water polo team confirmed Lulu's death to PEOPLE. "She was so excited for the Olympic Games," Steffens told the AP. "We’re really close. She’s the light of the world.