DIVING: Australia’s Grant Nel has finished 15th in the men’s 3m springboard after today’s semi-final round at Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio.
The result was not enough to qualify for tomorrow’s final, with Nel admitting he had his chances given the conditions and performance of other divers.
“We were lucky with the conditions today. They were much better than yesterday but it didn’t really help a lot of us,” said Nel.
“There were a lot of big hits and a lot of big misses in the competition today, everything was a bit off for everyone today.
“I am pretty disappointed to be honest. I felt really good this morning.
“My coach Michel (Larouche) and I talked after yesterday (preliminary event) just to focus on a few things, especially my takes offs which were fantastic today but unfortunately I missed two dives very badly.
“Unfortunately it was one of those days. I didn’t hit my PBs and that is the way things go in diving sometimes."
Despite his disappointment, Nel was more than satisfied with his Olympic achievement especially considering a serious injury that saw him bed ridden.
“It has been such a big achievement and honour to represent Australia at the Olympics especially when back in October last year I was in bed with a back injury for six weeks,” added Nel.
“When I think back about that time, making the semi-final and coming 15th in the world at the Olympic Games is a pretty good achievement.
“At the time I couldn’t feel my right leg, my L5 S1 lumbar sacral joint (lower back) had shifted a few millimetres and was touching on the sciatic nerve so because of that I lost all the feeling and a lot of muscle mass in my right leg.
“I am very lucky and grateful to be here and I have had such wonderful support here and along the way, particularly from my coach Michel Larouche without him I would not be here, I owe everything to him.
“I am also very fortunate to have had a supportive family and friends as well along the way and here in Rio to watch me compete which is great.
“I have enjoyed the experience and now look forward to going out to and supporting the other Aussie divers and athletes over the next few days in their competition."
The women’s 10m platform event begins tomorrow where Australia will be represented by three-time Olympian Melissa Wu and Olympic debutant Britany O’Brien.
Jo Banning
olympics.com.au
