Special report: 2008 Olympic Games
By Sportswriter Li Jia
BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- American diver Laura Wilkinson hopes the splendid victory she gained at the Sydney Olympics can be repeated in the Water Cube, as she wants a perfect curtain calls in Beijing.
Arriving on Thursday evening, the American diving team couldn't wait to practise in the Water Cube. They started their first training at 11:40 a.m. on Friday and left at 1:30 p.m..
As an American diving icon, the 30-year-old Wilkinson, winner of the women's 10m platform at the Sydney Olympics and the 2005 Montreal worlds, caught people's attention while walking into the venue. She qualified for the women's 10m platform at the Beijing Olympics after finishing first in the American Diving Trial in June.
It is the diving veteran's third Olympics, also the last. "It's my last Olympic Games, I'm excited. The Olympics are always exciting. It doesn't get old," said the 10m platform specialist.
"I definitely think I have gold potential," said the Olympic champion. "Obviously my biggest rival will be the Chinese. Both of the Chinese are quite strong and consistent. Emily Heymans of Canada and Paola Espinosa of Mexico are hopeful too. Many talented divers will fight for the old."
Many female divers transferred from platform to springboard when they are getting old, but not Wilkinson. Wilkinson said she has never thought about she would transfer to springboard. "I like platform. I like the feeling of fly."
Though at 30, Wilkinson has always kept sharp competitive form. "I felt good. I'm strong," said Wilkinson.
The high difficulty degree was always one of her weapons in diving. Wilkinson said she would keep her high degree at the Beijing Olympics. "I have not decided whether to use harder twisted dive, but my other dives are also very difficult."
Wilkinson wished to play the 10m platform synchronized also, but the USA Diving selected a younger pair, 15-year-olds Haley Ishimatsu and Mary Bith Dunnichay.
Wilkinson had been a gymnast when she was young, but she chose diving at last. "There are lots of connections between gymnastics and diving. Actually, there are many divers used to be gymnastics, especially in our team. The transaction is quite easy."
In 1995, at the age 18, Wilkinson was selected in the American Diving team.
At the age 23, Wilkinson made her Olympic debut in Sydney, where she upset Chinese favorite Li Na to clinch the gold. Wilkinson injured her foot six months before the Olympics, and almost missed the Game, but finally she made it and won the gold.
The 2004 Athens Olympic Games was not sweet for the American. The then 27-year-old only managed to finish fifth. One year later, the platform specialist won the gold medal in 2005 Montreal World Championships.
In 2006 and 2007, Wilkinson was in a mediocre form, finishing fourth in 2006 Diving World Cup and 2007 Melbourne Worlds.
Wilkinson visited the Water Cube during the FINA Diving World Cup in February, but it was far from satisfactory. The 30-year-old was not in her form in the final and only finished the last.
"I had some problem in confidence in one dive at that time, and that shook me out of the competition," said the 30-year-old. "But it is better now. It won't happen again."
Wilkinson confirmed her retirement after the Beijing Games. "I will end my career after the Beijing Olympics. After that I will do something else. Maybe make a foundation to build a new pool near my home, as the old one was torn out."
Married for five years, Wilkinson seemed quite happy. "My husband understands me very much. He is very supportive. I think I am quite lucky."
Standing in the Water Cube, Wilkinson said:"I like the colorful banners in the Water Cube and the logo in the pool, which I see very clearly from the 10m platform."
