Divers Chen Ruolin and Liu Huixia won the synchronized 10-meter platform dive at the Rio Games on Aug. 9. In doing so, Chen also became the third Chinese athlete with five Olympic gold medals, earning this distinction after Zou Kai and Wu Minxia.

"I almost gave up my career because of injuries. But I persisted and struggled all the way to the Rio Olympic Games," Chen explained in an interview after her win.

During Chen's competition, CCTV commentator and Olympic champion Li Na disclosed that Chen has sustained injuries to her neck, back and waist. "The plasters on her back are like patches," the commentator described.

Indeed, training for many years means Chen is now plagued by a number of serious injuries. National team leader Zhou Jihong has said that Chen's injuries have on occasion hindered her, rendering her unable to finish certain tasks.

The 24-year-old diver is actually a veteran on China's diving team, as she has already participated in three Olympic Games. Before the Beijing Games, the Chinese team failed twice to win the women's 10-meter platform dive. However, Chen broke that pattern and also won a gold medal in the synchronized 10-meter platform dive. She became the youngest double champion in Chinese diving.

In the London Games, Chen was the defending champion of the synchronized 10-meter platform dive. This gives her a record equal to those of renowned divers such as Fu Mingxia, Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia.

After London, Chen encountered a series of setbacks. At the 2013 Barcelona World Championship, she was defeated by Si Yajie. At the 2014 World Cup and 2015 World Championship, she was not eligible to participate in solo events. During this time, Chen even tried to avoid training, using the excuse of her injuries. She also stopped following her usual diet, which caused her weight to increase sharply.

In last year's qualification trials for Rio, Chen ranked sixth. Zhou Jihong scolded Chen for her attitude, which the athlete says woke her up. Wu Minxia's support also touched her.

Before the Rio Games, Chen announced that this might be her last Olympics. Therefore, she felt more nervous than she did eight years ago. Fortunately, she did herself proud with a gold medal win.