After the thrilling women’s 3m springboard diving final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the top three medalists, Chen Yiwen, Maddison Keeney, and Chang Yani, shared their thoughts on their performances.
Chen Yiwen from China, who won the gold medal, expressed that she felt a lot of pressure but managed to stay calm and focused. She acknowledged that she could have performed slightly better compared to her training but was satisfied with her overall performance. Chen highlighted the relief and strength she felt after winning and shared that she expected to cry but remained composed after her final dive.
Maddison Keeney, the silver medalist from Australia, opened up about her struggles with nerves in competitions and the hard work she put in with her psychologist over the past decade. She emphasized the importance of not looking at the scoreboard between rounds to avoid overthinking and focusing on one piece of information. Maddison reflected on her journey from facing disappointments to winning a silver medal at Paris 2024, stating that missing out on the Tokyo Olympics made her a better athlete. She also expressed gratitude for the positive competitive relationship she shares with Chen and Chang, referring to them as her sisters.
Chang Yani, who claimed the bronze medal for China, admitted to making a mistake in her first dive due to a technical issue. Despite the error, Chang remained determined to perform better in the following rounds with the support of her coaching team. She credited her coaches for protecting her and helping her bounce back after the initial mistake. Chang acknowledged the need to improve further but maintained a positive outlook on her performance.
The camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by these talented divers added an extra layer of excitement to the competition. Their dedication, resilience, and mutual respect for each other shone through their inspiring words, leaving a lasting impact on the audience and fans worldwide. As they continue to push the boundaries of excellence in diving, these athletes serve as role models for aspiring divers and showcase the true spirit of sportsmanship at the highest level of competition.