China's Skeleton Squad Tops Medal Standings at USA Diving Grand Prix
Monday, 12th May 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)
There was no Guo Jingjing and no Tian Liang. But even with a "B" team, the Chinese diving squad managed to lead the medal count at the USA Diving Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, over the weekend.China took three golds, two silvers and two bronzes. The 16-year-old Wang Hao had a great weekend, winning the women's 10-meter platform competition, and taking the 10-meter synchro with her partner Kang Li. The scaled-down team that China sent allowed other countries' athletes to place in more events—the United States and Australia won five medals each.
Though the American divers had a good meet, it wasn't a sign that they are ready to challenge the hold that China has on the sport. U.S. coach Ron O'Brien told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel that for the U.S. team, two medals in Beijing would be acceptable and four or five would be "very good." The Chinese, on the other hand, have gold medal contenders (not to mention silver and bronze) in all eight Olympic events.
Here are some first-hand accounts and quotes from various media about the event:
International Herald-Tribune: Chinese fall short on final day of USA Diving Grand Prix
Washington Post: U.S. Divers Can Compete, but Chinese Temper the Excitement
"You have seven or eight [additional Chinese] men -- or arguably more -- who will all be vying for the top three" places in Beijing, said Matt Scoggin, [U.S. national team diver Troy] Dumais's coach at the University of Texas.
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel:
China continues diving dominance in preparation for Olympics
"I am surmising that the goal is for China to win gold and silver in every individual event and win all four golds in the synchronized and sweep the Olympics for the first time ever." (U.S. coach Ron O'Brien)
Tags: diving, Wang Hao