Diving – A short history
Diving started in Germany and Sweden in the 18th century, when groups of gymnasts started performing gymnastic tumbling routines into water. Swedish divers visited Great Britain In the late 19th century where they put on diving displays that proved hugelyincredibly popular and led to the formation of the first diving organisation, the Amateur Diving Association, in 1901.
Diving at the Olympic Games
Diving was first contested at the St Louis 1904 Games. Its appearance on the Olympic programme in both springboard and platform events has been continuous since 1908.
Synchronised Platform Diving and Synchronised Springboard Diving were added for the Sydney 2000 Games.
Rules
Competitors perform a series of dives from either a springboard or a fixed platform, at a height of either three or 10 metres.
Judges award points up to 10 depending upon their elegance and skill. Points are adjusted for the degree of difficulty, based on the number and types of manoeuvres attempted, such as somersaults, pikes, tucks and twists.
In the Synchronised Diving events, pairs of athletes dive in tandem and receive an additional mark for their level of ‘synchronisation’.
Getting involved
The best place to get started in diving is to head down to your local swimming pool. If you need more information about clubs, facilities and coaching schemes in your area, contact your national federation.