This is a habit that divers have after their jump. They take a shower immediately after. Find out why.
Diving has been an Olympic event since 1904. The first competition in this discipline was created in 1901 when the Swedes travelled to Great Britain to demonstrate this then little-known sport. This year, on the occasion of the Paris Olympics 2024the discipline is divided into two branches: the three-meter springboard and the high-flying platform located at a height of ten meters. At three meters, the springboard allows you to bounce and therefore take off a little more, unlike at ten meters where there is no way to propel yourself other than with your feet or hands. Since 2000, the discipline can also be practiced in synchronised mode with two athletes.
To award medals, judges have the final say on the scores given to athletes. Three criteria are closely scrutinized: the aesthetics of the jump, its complexity, and also the quality of the water entry. When the jump is synchronized, the two athletes are obviously judged on their ability to be well coordinated with each other. While the United States has long been the masters of the competition, China is now reversing the trend.
What often stands out after the beautiful figures attempted during the dive is the speed at which the athletes head straight to the showers. The reason is very important. Divers need warm water to keep their muscles relaxed and therefore avoid cramps. The change in temperature between the cold water of the pool and the hot water of the shower do not always go well together but are essential to avoid injuries.
But this is not the only ritual of Olympic divers. Indeed, the latter sometimes find themselves in whirlpools and the utility is almost identical. Indeed, it is intended for stretching. The muscles are then relaxed and allow the athletes to get back on the springboard with less risk of injury. It is therefore comparable to cyclists who would get on the bike right after the race or runners who would continue to stretch or clean up right after the event. On the occasion of the Paris Olympics, diving will have an important place since it will launch the medal harvest from the first day of competition on July 27. To attend this impressive event, you will have to go to the Défense Arena.