The National Aquatics Center, popularly known as the "Water
Cube", will again be under the limelight this week as some of the
world's best divers head to Beijing for the FINA Diving World Cup
from February 19-25 in a test event that will also serve as the
sport's final qualifying match for the Beijing Games.
China's diving queen Guo
Jingjing rests in the pool during a practice session inside the
National Aquatic Center, also known as "Water Cube", Feb. 16, 2008.
The "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 16th FINA Diving World Cup will kick
off on Tuesday as lots of world famous divers will
compete.
More than 300 athletes from 54 countries and regions are
expected to compete in the qualifying event. There are 88 singles
tickets available and 16 spots for synchronized pairs.
But for China, which has dominated the sport for years, the
event is not about fighting for Olympic spots - it is the divers'
final major test before the Olympics and the team's last chance to
determine its best athletes to send to Beijing.
China will also pay special attention to any potential rivals to
avoid another upset like the one they suffered in Athens 2004.
The shocking memory of Greek divers Nikolaos Siranidis and
Thomas Bimis seizing the men's synchronized springboard gold medal
four years ago is still singed on China's mind, as is Lao Lishi's
loss to Australian Chantelle Newbery in the women's 10m
platform.
"It means that every team out of the eight that will ultimately
participate at the Olympics in Beijing has its own chance," said
China' diving team manager Zhou Jihong.
"But first of all, those who didn't pass the qualification will
have to do their best in this tournament. So it is a very good
chance to observe the big opponents out there and how they
perform.
"And then we will make changes on our skills or tactics
according to possible emerging rivals."
Zhou also hoped China will be able to sweep all eight gold
medals in this tournament, saying it could be the best way to boost
the team's morale for a psychological edge.
"Almost all of the best divers come to compete with us. If our
young athletes are able to beat their strongest opponents, they
will get mentally stronger once they meet again in Beijing."
The biggest challenges will likely occur in the men's and
women's 10m platform events. It was in those events that Russia's
Gleb Galperin outclassed China's Lin Yue and Zhou Luxin to win last
year's world championship in Melbourne.
"Galperin does not have the higher difficulty over our two
divers. But he is able to play his best in big tournaments. He
scored full points in two dives in the last World Championships and
beat us. So we should be highly alert of him," Zhou said.
Galperin will be joined by Canadian Alexandre Despatie, who won
world titles in 2003 and 2005.
The veteran Despatie has struggled with injury over the past
three years but still managed to defeat Lin and Zhou in one of last
year's FINA Diving Grand Prix series.
Lin and Zhou should also pay attention to emerging American
Thomas Finchum, who also has a winning record against them.
Women's 10m platform seems more vulnerable for China as the team
lost gold medals in the event in both of the past two Games.
Though, emerging stars Wang Xin and Chen Ruolin performed
impressively post-Athens, long-time challengers like American Laura
Wilkinson and Canadian Emilie Heymans are still in good form and
will be difficult competition for China this summer.
Women's springboard is far less suspenseful as "diving queen"
Guo Jingjing and her synchronized partner Wu Minxia's are
overwhelming forces in their event. Their presence will be more of
a demonstration for spectators rather than a competition.
(China Daily February 19, 2008)
