In the last diving event, Aussie Matthew Mitcham (photos) shocked the home crowd by coming from behind to defeat his main Chinese competitor.
Of the 24 diving medals awarded in Beijing, China claimed 11 of a possible 12: seven gold, one silver and three bronze. The sport has produced the country’s most Olympic medals.
Obviously diving coaches around the World need to raise the bar if they hope to compete in future with China. It has been a very poor Olympics for the USA, for example, though they have a young, talented team.
Young Thomas Daley will contend many more Olympics too, I’m sure.
3 comments ↓
Go Matthew Mitcham!
While I do believe he deserved the gold, I think there was probably an unconscious (maybe conscious) decision by all the diving judges to make sure China didn’t win 8 for 8 gold medals. I don’t think that kind of supreme domination by one country does anything for sports except alienate countries from bothering to try. The Aussie dived brilliantly of course, not too take that away from him, but I think that the huge 112 points given for his last dive was a pretty big push to make sure he was a certainty above the Chinese for gold. Personally, I adore the Chinese style (in diving and gymnastics), but for any of those die-hard fans of technique and style, have a look at fellow Australian diver Matthew Helm, his toe-point is UNBELIEVABLE. Great comp to watch anyways, plenty of thrills and spills!
Hmmm… unless i am being completely stupid, isn’t the title for this piece wrong. Surely you mean 10m Platform Men!!
Thanks Jenny. I made the fix.
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