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Diving Veterans Ready for More Gold
Though their younger teammates had already tagged themselves as serious gold contenders, Xiong Ni and Fu Mingxia, the reigning Olympic champions on China's diving team, are very likely to continue their glory in Sydney this fall, according to Chinadaily.
In a warm-up from August 13 to 15 in Jinan, the two multi-time Olympians, together had contributed four Olympic gold medals to China,out-performed their team members to win their individual and synchronized events.
The simulated Olympic contest tests the Olympic diving team and forms the final line-up for Sydney.
Atlanta Olympics springboard champion Xiong found his best form since he came back two years ago, staging a flawless routine including two of his most difficult dives ever.
The Chinese camp said repeating this show in Sydney, Xiong could get a mark higher than 750 points, enough to defend his title in his fourth Olympics.
The 26-year-old said archrival Russian Olympic champion Dimitri Sautin would not likely surpass him if he repeats the trial show.
"That is the best I have ever done since 1998,'' said the diver who shaved bald a month ago.
Perfecting a difficult routine may be the only way to conquer the experienced Sautin, a rare European to rival the all-powerful Chinese regularly in his career.
But any mistake could lead sink Xiong in Sydney against the champion Russian, double champions on springboard and platform in the 1998 World Championships.
"I have participated in three Olympics, and I don't want the past to become pressure,'' Xiong said. In Sydney, he added, "I will be there to start from the very beginning again.''
Xiong also stands at a great chance to win his third Olympic gold medal on board synchronized diving, pairing with teammate Xiao Hailiang.
For triple Olympic gold medallist Fu, the biggest title challenge in her third Olympic appearances will probably come from compatriot Guo Jingjing, who beat her on the springboard in the World Diving Cup in January and the national championships in April.
The defeats brought bitterness for her fans, who had seen her as an invincible champion since she became the youngest world champion of all time at age 12 in 1991.
Anyway, Fu took the losses for granted and warned that she would improve.
She proved her words soon, winning series of international titles since then.This time she vaulted over Guo, suggesting that she could make a comeback for the Sydney Olympics.
Now a Qinghua University student, she said she would like to see the games in a new approach.
"I was too young to feel fear in my Olympic debut in 1992 in Barcelona. For four years, I carried a big name and fought hard with injuries for a victory,'' she said. "This time, I feel much better and totally relaxed. I go there only to show my best. The only rival will be myself.''
Fu could be the winningest female diver in Olympic history, with five gold medals, if next month she repeats a double victories like in Atlanta four years ago.
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