Oliver Ghiassi Returned to Pool After Cancer Battle
The Palisades High athlete resumed his water polo career following a successful return to competition against Venice.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Swimming
Oliver Ghiassi rejoined the Palisades High water polo team on September 23 after completing chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma. His return marked a significant comeback during the team's 12-10 victory over Venice High School.
Why it matters
Ghiassi's return to the water provides a boost to the Palisades roster after the team experienced a challenging run at the South Bay Tournament. His presence on the team follows months of medical treatment that sidelined him since February.
Palisades High defeated Venice 12-10, building on a 9-4 halftime lead. The team previously struggled at the South Bay Tournament, where they finished 1-3 including an 18-9 score in the eighth-place game against Riverside King.
The players
Oliver Ghiassi
He is a student athlete at Palisades High who successfully returned to water polo after completing a rigorous course of cancer treatment.
Palisades High
This is a Los Angeles-based high school that fields competitive athletic teams across various sports including water polo.
Venice High School
It is a public high school in Los Angeles that competes against Palisades High in regional water polo matches.
The details
Ghiassi returned to action after receiving a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma on February 18, 2026, which necessitated chemotherapy treatment from June through August. The team continues its season following a 10-4 loss to Malibu in the Malibu Classic final.
Timeline
February 18, 2026: Oliver Ghiassi was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma.
June 2026 through August 2026: Ghiassi underwent chemotherapy treatment.
September 23, 2026: Ghiassi returned to high school water polo competition.
October 1, 2026: Palisades hosts University High School at the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center.
Season Trajectory
Ghiassi's return bolsters the Palisades roster as they transition from tournament play into their home schedule. The team looks to improve their standing following a difficult 1-3 performance at the South Bay Tournament.
Ghiassi played roughly 33% to 50% of the game against Venice, indicating a managed transition back into the starting rotation. The team's immediate focus turns to their upcoming home match against University High School.
The takeaway
Ghiassi's return serves as a reminder of the physical demands required for high school athletes to regain competitive form after major health setbacks. His comeback provides a template for managing gradual participation increases in recovery programs.
What happens next
Palisades High will host University High School at the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center on October 1, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local aquatic competitions, visit the Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Palisadian-Post.
