2016 Olympic Diving Trials Begin; The Schedule, Athletes and What to Expect
On Saturday, the trials for the US Olympic diving team began with the country aiming for more medals in the upcoming Rio Games.
Two months before the scheduled 2016 Olympics in Brazil, the United States Olympic Team has started its trials for the events this coming August and kickstarted with the diving competition. Diving is always the first on the schedule even in previous years.
USA Diving Gunning for More Medals
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The prelude to the Olympics itself is done in Indiana and screens athletes for both the men and women teams.The US Olympic Committee oversees the trials with USA Diving making sure that the country surpass the 135 medals for the diving competition alone.
Such preparation is especially vital since China is quickly trying to keep up every Olympic year for the diving category. SB Nation added that it took home eight gold medals during the 2012 London Olympics.
Who are the Top Athletes?
Some of the big names during the weekend's trials were diving partners Sam Dorman and Michael Hixon, and Kristian Ipsen and Troy Dumais, NBC Olympics enumerated. For the women's category, Jessica Parratto and Amy Cozad were the clear leaders in the synchronized 10m platform.
After the trials opening day, Dorman-Hixon were on top of the list with a 56.52 lead over Ipsen-Dumais, Swim Swam said. The finals competition is scheduled on Wednesday night with teams set to be selected to compete for the Olympics Games in August.
Dorman-Hixon's Secret Formula
Dorman explained that he and Hixon only focused on their diving and did not care much about their scores. "I think we just tried to stay in the same groove we were in this morning. We just did one dive at a time focusing on that dive, not the outcome," Dorman told Swim Swam.
For his part, Hixon mentioned that he is excited for the opportunity given to him and expressed intention to maintain his performance. He, however, claimed that they are also trying be calm and relaxed during the competition.
More Olympic Trials Scheduled in Indiana
The highlight for Sunday is the preliminary and semifinals rounds for the synchronized 10-meter for men.
Fans watching the diving session trials are treated to a brand new look of the Natatorium swimming complex. Aside from the improved pool, the interiors of the venue like the lighting and paint were also upgraded.
