Diving

Origin and rules

Modern competitive diving developed from Swedish and German gymnastics in the 19th century. Athletes jump from a three-metre springboard or ten-metre platform, performing a sequence of dives scored by judges on takeoff, flight, and entry.

How it plays

Each dive has a difficulty rating that multiplies the judges’ score. Athletes execute combinations of forward, backward, reverse, inward, twisting, and armstand dives. Synchronised events pair two divers performing simultaneously.

Competition

The World Aquatics Championships and the Olympic Games are the leading events. China has dominated diving for decades, with strong programmes also in the United States, Russia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Diving became Olympic at the 1904 St. Louis Games.