Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-08-18 From: Xinhuanet

BANGKOK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Seven gold medals in the Bangkok University Games sounded alarm to the Chinese diving Dream Team for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

China pocketed 10 out of 12 golds in the 2005 Universiade in Turkey.

“As we’ve seen here we are in some way fallback from the Izmir (Universiade in 2005),” said Bai Yongzheng, Chinese diving team manager on Saturday.

“We don’t have the first-team here and some of the young divers were inexperienced. It’s also obvious that our opponents are catching up fast,” he added.

Mexico’s Paola Espinosa won two gold, one silver and one bronze in the women’s springboard and platform, proving to be strong challenge to China in the Beijing Games.

“She has the ability to beat anyone, including the bests from China, if she repeated her performances in the women’s 10m platform preliminary round,” Bai said.

The 21-year-old, trained by former Beijing coach Ma Jin of China, led all the way into the final ahead of the eventual winner Lao Lishi of China.

Mexico won the women’s team gold medal because of Espinosa’s brilliant efforts.

Lao, however, is confident to stamp China’s domination on diving in the Olympics.

“I know her shortcoming. I’ve been watching her in several competitions. I’m not to worried about who is coming out for us. I just do my job here,” the Olympic silver-medalist said.

Updated: 2007-08-18 From: Xinhuanet

Li Ting (L) and Hou Yuanyuan of China is in the final of women’s 3m springboard synchronized diving at the 24th Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 18, 2007. Li and Hou got the silver medal of the event.(Xinhua Photo)

BANGKOK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Mexican divers Paola Espinosa and Tatiana Ortiz intercepted China’s gold haul on Saturday in the women’s 3m springboard synchronized at the Universiade here.

The Mexicans spoiled China’s hope to win all the four events featured on the last day of the tournament after it had already pocketed the first two gold medals of the day.

Trailing by 6.60 points after two rounds, Espinosa/Ortiz closed the gap on every following jump and surpassed Chinese Li Ting/Hou Yuanyuan to win the match up with 324.30 points.

Li/Hou scored 322.80 points for the silver while Christina Loukas/Amanda Miller of the United States on third.

This was the fourth medal for Espinosa, who had one gold, one silver and one bronze before the victory.

Updated: 2007-08-18 From: Xinhuanet

BANGKOK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Olympic champion Hu Jia and teammate Wang Liang finished one-two placings in Saturday’s men’s 10m platform competition as the Bangkok University Games here.

Hu, who won the 10m platform at the 2004 Athens Games, added another diving gold to China with 512.20 points.

Wang scored 98.60 points, three 10 poionts and four 9.5 points, on the last round to collect 477.35 for the silver.

“I was placed 7th at the start. I gave no blink of thought to my position, but to do my best,” Wang said.

Oleg Vikulov of Russia won the bronze by 463.20 points.

Four diving events will be played on Saturday and six gold medals, including two team events, are on stake with China on the way for a sweep.

Updated: 2007-08-18 From: Xinhuanet

Li Ting of China competes in the final of women’s 3m springboard diving at the 24th Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 18, 2007. Li won the title of the event with a score of 363.85.(Xinhua Photo)

Li Ting of China competes in the final of women’s 3m springboard diving at the 24th Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 18, 2007. Li won the title of the event with a score of 363.85. (Xinhua Photo)

BANGKOK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Olympic champion Li Ting kicked off a campaign for China’s gold-medal haul in the diving competition on the last day of the Bangkok University Games, breezing to the victory in the women’s 3m springboard on Saturday.

Li, who won the 10m platform synchronized in the 2004 Athens Olympics, scored 363,85 points in the five-round final, 34.90 points ahead of Christina Loukas of the United States and Mexico’s Paola Espinosa.

“I have been concentrating on the match here, to come out for the gold. I know there is no real challenge to me here, but I take the final as something important,” Li said.

Li will also compete in the following 3m synchronized.

Li Ting (L) of China enjoys the instruction of her coach during the final of women’s 3m springboard diving at the 24th Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 18, 2007. Li won the title of the event with a score of 363.85. (Xinhua Photo)

Updated: 2008-02-15

The interior of the “Water Cube”

(BEIJING, February 15) — As learnt from the operation team of the National Aquatics Center, or the “Water Cube” on February 14, the venue is ready for the 16th FINA Diving World Cup from February 19 to 24, 2008.

The FINA World Cup is the third largest diving event after the Olympics and FINA world Championships. Furthermore, the 16th FINA World Cup will take place at the just-inaugurated Olympic venue, so that it has attracted 310 athletes, 218 coaches and 42 international judges from 54 countries.

The interior of the “Water Cube”

Many top divers from worldwide have been registered and the host team has fielded the best lineup, including 3m springboard divers Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia, who will also participate in women’s synchronized events. On men’s side, He Chong and Qin Kai will take part in 3m springboard, while veteran Wang Feng will join Qin Kai in synchronized competitions.

The women’s 10m platform will feature world champions Wang Xin and Chen Ruolin, who will be also synchronized participants.

There will be big names from Russia, Canada, Australia and France too.

The 16th FINA World Cup is following the Olympic standards to set 8 events: Men/Women 3m springboard, 10m platform, synchronized 3m springboard and synchronized 10m platform

The interior of the “Water Cube”

The competitions will last 6 days with the following time table:

February 19 - Men’s synchronized 3m springboard preliminaries and finals

February 20 - Women’s 10m platform semifinals and finals

February 21 - Men’s 3m springboard semifinals and finals; women’s synchronized 10m platform preliminaries and finals

February 22 - Men’s synchronized 10m platform preliminaries and finals

February 23 - Women’s 3m springboard semifinals and finals

February 24 - Men’s 10m platform semifinals and finals; women’s synchronized 3m springboard preliminaries and finals

The tickets are divided into five tiers, priced at 30, 50, 80, 120 and 150 yuan for the preliminaries, semifinals and finals.

Updated: 2008-02-14

(BEIJING, February 14)– The 16th FINA diving World Cup will be held from 19-24 this month at the newly-inaugurated National Aquatics Center, commonly known as the “Water Cube.”

China will train at the venue on February 16.

He Zi, Peng Bo and Hu Jia are not on the roster.

He Chong and Qin Kai will lead the squad in the men’s 3 m springboard; Wang Feng and Qin Kai will showcase in the men’s doubles 3 m springboard.

Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia will compete in the women’s 3 m springboard, doubles 3 m springboard and 10 m platform.

Lin Yue and Zhou Lvxin will compete in the men’s 10 m platform, while Lin Yue and Huo Liang will compete in the men’s doubles 10 m platform.

Dmitri Sautin of Russia will take part in the tournament.

Updated: 2008-02-14

(BEIJING, February 14)– Below is China’s 16th FINA diving World Cup roster:

Men’s 3 m springboard single: He Chong/Qin Kai doubles: Wang Feng/Qin Kai

Women’s 3 m springboard single: Guo Jingjing/Wu Minxia doubles: Guo Jingjing/Wu Minxia

Men’s 10 m platform single: Lin Yue/Zhou lvxin doubles: Lin Yue/Huo Liang

Women’s 10 m platform single: Wang Xin/Chen Ruolin doubles: Wang Xin/Chen Ruolin