DIVING: Dual Olympian James Connor can’t wait for the Olympic competition to start and is excited at the prospect of the event being held outside for the first time since Barcelona in 1992.
Connor, 21, is presently studying neuroscience at the University of Indiana in the United States and training outdoors amongst the Team USA Divers under the guidance of the USA Head Diving Coach Drew Johansen.
“It is interesting to be diving outside at an Olympic Games, the elements are certainly different and there are a few more things to worry about but personally I am enjoying it and I love the venue,” Connor said.
“I have had plenty of experience diving outside training over in America where it has been summer in the lead up to this event and our whole team is looking great and I’m excited for competition to start.
“My coach in America is the Head Coach of the USA team and a number of close friends are on the USA team so it is a bit unique but I can’t wait to represent Australia and here at the Olympics I am being again coached by Xinagning Chen who I worked with ahead of the London Olympics and it is really nice to be back working with him again.
“It is also good training alongside Dom Bedggood who is one of my best mates and to be amongst the whole Australia diving team – everyone is diving great and are really excited for the competition to begin.”
Conner (and Bedggod) will contest the 10m platform event with Connor believing his experiences in London four years ago will be valuable for the Rio competition.
“I am not 17 anymore, I have another four years of international competition under my belt and experience that I can draw upon and I feel like I am well prepared.
“I know what I did and didn’t handle well in London and even just knowing what to expect the second time around is beneficial.
“There is a major competition for us every year as divers and the only difference here is the spectacle, the extra lights and attention,” added Connor. “It is just important to remember that it is all the same, it is the same dives that we have done before.”
When asked about his ambitions and expectations, Conner was balanced with his response.
“Given the subjective nature of diving it is always difficult to make specific goals around scores, especially in an outdoor environment where you are not sure what elements you will have thrown at you, it could be wind or rain or both,” he said.
“I am just going to take it as it comes and have my personal goals around how I prepared and handle myself then hopefully the results will take care of themselves.
“I am just really excited about the competition to see what I can achieve, I have prepared well and am loving the village atmosphere, seeing and mixing with all the other athletes but can’t wait for the competition to start.”
Jo Banning
olympics.com.au
