Three generations of Chinese divers have taken turns on the Olympic springboard over the past 15 years, but their main opponent remains the same.
Olympic champion Dmitry Sautin of Russia thumbs up the building of the National Aquatics Center during an interview at the FINA Diving World Cup Feb. 19, 2008. [Xinhua] |
His name is Dmitry Sautin.
Since the 34-year-old Russian began his Olympic career in Barcelona 1992, where he earned a bronze medal in springboard and sixth place in platform, he hasn't missed an Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, his cast of Chinese rivals has changed constantly, from Xiong Ni and Xiao Hailiang in 1996 to Tian Liang and Hu Jia in 2000 and 2004. This year he will face off against a new pair or opponents, Wang Feng and Qin Kai.
"Our main rival in the Beijing Games is China. It's always China," Sautin said after finishing second in the men's synchronized springboard with his younger partner Yuri Kunakov on Tuesday at the ongoing FINA Diving World Cup in Beijing.
"My partner made some mistakes during the final competitions. It's a pity (not to win)," Sautin said after the disappointing loss to Wang/Qin. "We could have performed much better. In the Beijing Olympics we are not allowed make any mistakes if we want to beat China."
The silver medal is enough for the still formidable Sautin - known as the "diving czar" - to qualify for this summer's Games. His experience and skill will still pose a major threat for China's divers if they hope to win at home.
"He is incredible," Wang said about Sautin. "He's still able to keep good form at such an age. We should be aware of him. If he finds his best form at the Olympic, it's hard to beat him."
At 22, Sautin became an Olympic champion as he clinched gold in 10m platform at the 1996 Olympics.
Sautin took four medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics - a gold in synchronized platform, a silver in synchronized springboard and a bronze in both 3m springboard and 10m platform.
At 30, Sautin competed in his fourth Olympic Games in Athens. He lost to Canadian standout Alexandre Despatie, settling for bronze in 3m springboard.
His seven Olympic medals (two golds, one silver and four bronzes), are more than any diver in Olympic history.
He has also competed in the world championships five times where he has won nine medals.
But Sautin admitts his age is catching up to him.
"If I were younger, it would be easier to compete with them. Now they are younger and stronger and it's harder," said the Russian, who consistently beat China's leading divers Xiong Ni and Tian Liang when he was in his prime.
After his fourth Olympics in Athens, the diver began considering retirement. But he decided to pursue his fifth Olympic Games instead.
"I thought of retiring after 2004. But my country still needs me and I held on. Now I will retire from competitive diving after the Beijing Olympic Games.
"I will compete in the synchronized events in the Beijing Games, and individual event is also possible."
The ambitious athlete also dismissed the possibility of China sweeping all eight gold medals, insisting at least one of them will go to Russia.
"China will take seven titles while Russia will clinch the remaining gold medal," said the diver, who is coached by his wife, Tatiana Starodoubtseva.
Sautin first showed his talents when he was very young.
He came to diving with the help of a school coach when he was seven years old. At the age of 17, he was badly wounded when he was stabbed at a bus stop.
He made an incredible comeback when he was 18, making it to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, the start of his glittering career.
