ACOG - News - IBM

(30 July 1996; Day 11)

XIONG Captures China's First Gold in 3m Springboard

A 12-year journey came to an end at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center on Monday night. A two-time medalist in the 10m platform, XIONG Ni (CHN) became the first male diver to capture the gold medal in the 3m springboard competition for the People's Republic of China.

"China had never won any gold medal on the springboard in previous Olympics," stated XIONG. "This is the first gold of course, I am very excited.". His response was typical of the Chinese divers who tend to be more concerned about representing their country more than personal success. But XIONG's feelings are a mixture of complete satisfaction and relief.

Entering the diving competition in Atlanta, XIONG was better known as the other diver. In 1988, leading the 10m platform competition after his final dive, XIONG watched anxiously as Greg LOUGANIS (USA) stepped to the edge of the platform for his final Olympic dive. LOUGANIS needed and received, all scores of nine or greater to win his fourth gold medal and fifth overall. XIONG, the other diver, had to settle for silver by just 1.41 points.

Four years latter in Barcelona, he watched teammate SUN Shuwei dive almost faultlessly en route to the gold. XIONG collected the bronze. At age 18 and on the verge of being considered to old for the Chinese national team, XIONG turned his efforts to the 3m springboard. A fierce competitor, it took him only three years to capture his first international diving competition at the FINA Alamo Diving Grand Prix in 1995. That same year he won the Dive Canada competition and visited the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center for the first time at the IX Diving World Championships, finishing second.

Entering the 3m springboard competiton at the 1996 Games, XIONG although considered an overwhelming favorite, was in the shadow of Mark LENZI (USA). The defending gold medalist, LENZI returned to his form of 1992 despite a two-year retirement. XIONG took control of the competition from the start and led after two of the three rounds. After the third round of finals, XIONG's teammate, YU Zhuocheng, popped off the highest score of the evening (87.15) to take the lead by four points.

Shades of Seoul and Barcelona had XIONG on edge going into the final round.

"I was very nervous," stated XIONG. "This is a very rare opportunity -- just once every four years. In Barcelona, I was very confident, but sometimes I thought too much. That led to pressure -- led to failure. Before each dive I thought I should preview the routine, the performance, the best I could. I didn't think about the gold medal."

XIONG dove briliantly in his final three dives tallying no fewer than 78 points, snapping off an 87.72 in his final dive. The gold medal was finally his. XIONG had completed his lifelong quest. No longer was he "the other diver".

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by David Blanchard.


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The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts.