China bagged both diving gold medals offered on the opening
day's competition of the 28th Olympic Games here on Saturday.
Tian Liang and Yang Jinghui won the men's synchronized 10-meter
platform while Guo Jingjing, widely reported as Tian's girlfriend
back home, paired with Wu Mingxia to claim the first diving gold in
the women's synchronized 3m springboard.
Tian/Yang led the diving from the second round, finishing with
383.88 points, more than 12 points ahead of Britain's Peter
Waterfield and Leon Taylor.
The Britons were the surprise of the night, beating reigning
world champions Matthew Helm and Robert Newbery of Australia, who
settled for bronze.
The silver was Britain's first diving Olympic medal in 44
years.
Tian surrendered gold medal of this event in the Sydney
Olympics, finishing a disappointing second, although he claimed the
title in the men's singles platform.
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"We lost the title four years ago, which makes the win sweeter,"
said Tian. "All our hard training in the past four years has been
rewarded."
Tian delighted that they ended the opening day's competition
with two golds for China.
"I feel so proud as a Chinese," he said.
Guo, 23, who has won all titles but an Olympic gold, collected a
total of 336.90 points with Wu for the win.
The victory was so sweet because Guo avenged the defeat to
Russia's Vera Ilyina and Yulia Pakhalina in the Sydney Olympic
Games four years ago.
Ilyina and Pakhalina finished second this time with 330.84
points. Australian duo Irina Lashiko and Chantelle Newbery were
third with 309.30.
"We felt no pressure tonight," said Guo, a red-hot favorite
before the competition. "After the first dive, I am sure we can win
the gold."
"We have been prepared for the Athens Olympics for four years,"
she said. "We deserved the win."
The golds were China's third and fourth after sharp shooters Du
Li and Wang Yifu won the Game's first two titles Saturday
morning.
(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2004)
