DIVING: Australia’s Esther Qin and Maddison Keeney have successfully qualified for the women’s 3m springboard semi-final after finishing fifth and ninth respectively in the preliminary round at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio.
Qin, 24, was the last of the 29 competitors in the event and was one of the most consistent divers of the afternoon ranking seventh, sixth, fifth, fourth and fifth after each of her five dives with a total of 347.25 points.
“I am very happy with my performance, I didn’t expect my place to be this high for today,” said Qin.
“My goal coming into the event was to take it step by step – make the semi and then make the final and then focus on the final and hopefully improve my score”.
Whilst Qin was one of the most consistent performers of the day, Keeney had to come from behind and was only ranked inside the required Top 18 after her second last dive and admitted that she was concerned as to whether or not she would qualify.
“I was so scared but I knew that my last two dives are my more safe dives,” said Keeney. “I had a really good warm-up but my first two dives were not of the quality that I wanted but apart from that I made it through to the semi-finals so I can’t really complain.
“These rounds don’t count anything towards the final so I try and use it as experience so I can learn from it and take it through to the next round”.
When asked about the impact of the bronze medal she won earlier this week with Annabelle Smith in the 3m synchronised event, Keeney indicated it was nothing by positive.
“I think I have already relaxed and I think it has helped me because I know I am already leaving here a winner in my eyes so I just want to dive my best and am not thinking about the result.
“I have been diving well all year and been up there in the top four and five in the World Series competitions so I have expectations of myself but overall I just want to dive how I want to dive and if I can compete to the level that I want, then I will be happy”
The water colour has distinctly changed from blue to green in recent days with Rio 2016 citing problems with the alkalinity and assuring divers that the quality of water is safe with the below statement.
“The Organizing Committee of Rio 2016 would like to inform you that the quality of the water has been checked and the diving pool offers healthy conditions for training and competition”.
Whilst many are talking about the water colour, both Qin and Keeney indicated that it wasn’t an issue for them.
“I am feeling ok my skin is a bit dry and a bit scaly but I am trying not to open my eyes because I don’t want to catch anything,” laughed Keeney.
“It looks green but it doesn’t bother me, I try to close my eyes under water,” added Qin.
Qin and Keeney will compete in the 18 women semi-final tomorrow afternoon.
Jo Banning
olympics.com.au
