The Olympic Games got off to a great start for US Diving with a silver medal for Kelci Bryant and Abby Johnston in the 3 meter synchronized diving event, the countries first diving medal since 2000. China’s team of Wu Minxia and He Zi took the gold while Emilie Heymans and Jennifer Abel of Canada won the bronze.
Johnston and Bryant put together a strong list, making absolutely no mistakes. In second place going into the final dive, a medal was by no means a certainty, as both Canada and Italy were still in the running for silver. Italy left the door open with their next to last dive, a forward 2 ½ somersault with 1 twist.
Both the Americans and the Canadians took full advantage of the Italians’ mistake, with Johnston and Bryant finishing with 321.90 points to Canada’s 316.80 and the Italians 314.10. The bronze medal was Heymans’ fourth medal in four Olympic Games.
China’s gold medal dominated the contest from the start and never looked back, winning in convincing fashion with a total of 346.20. It was the third consecutive gold medal in the women’s 3 meter synchronized diving event for Wu Minxia, who also won the event in Beijing and Athens.
Hometown favorites Alicia Blagg and Rebecca Gallantree from Great Britain had a rough time, missing 2 of their dives and finishing seventh in the eight team field.
