Cao shrugs off pressure to capture gold
Print Edition
CAO Yuan shook off the pressure of being the only Chinese diver left in the field — a rarity in Olympic finals — to deliver China’s fifth diving gold medal on Tuesday.
Cao won the men’s 3-meter springboard competition, taking the tally to five golds in six events for diving’s superpower.
Britain’s Jack Laugher took silver and Patrick Hausding of Germany won bronze.
Cao got a golden chance — but increased pressure — after compatriot He Chao, the reigning world champion, surprisingly tumbled out in earlier rounds.
That meant that for the first time since Athens 2004, China would not have two men on the podium for the event.
“Competing all by myself is indeed a lot of pressure but I was able to let go and really focus on my performance and putting on a show,” said Cao, 21.
It was his second medal in Rio and exacts revenge against Laugher, who took gold along with partner Chris Mears last week in the 3m synchronized event. Cao and Qin Kai were relegated to bronze.
The contest took place in the Rio diving pool that had turned green last week due to mismanagement of chemical levels, according to Games organizers. But it was back to a normal aqua-blue by Tuesday.
Cao’s ability to coolly step in and win gold after He crashed out underscored the remarkable revolving door of elite diving talent that China continues to churn out.
Cao took the lead from round one and never looked to be seriously threatened.
After his final dive, he sprint-swam to the pool stairs and pumped his fist, later expressing surprise at the uncharacteristic show of emotion from a Chinese diver. “I don’t want to show too much excitement, even if I get a medal. That’s my personality.”
Cao finished with 547.60 points, a solid 23.75 points ahead of Laugher.
The win keeps China on course to match its seven-gold haul from Beijing in 2008.
Two events are left, the men’s and women’s 10m platform.
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