Canadian divers Nathan Zsombor-Murray and Rylan Wiens have won the bronze medal in the men's synchronized 10-metre platform at the Paris Olympics.
Zsombor-Murray, from Pointe-Claire, Que., and Regina's Wiens finished third with a total of 422.13 points over six dives.
It’s Canada’s first-ever medal in the event and the first Canadian men’s diving medal since Alexandre Despatie’s silver in the 3m springboard event in Beijing 2008.
The Chinese duo of Junjie Lian and Hao Yang won the gold medal with a score of 490.35 points, while Great Britain’s Tom Daley and Noah Williams followed with 463.44.
“It is super surreal. We have been working hard at this for the last two years. We are over the moon," said Zsombor-Murray.
Canada didn't have a perfect day. Zsombor-Murray had trouble with his third and fifth dives, while Wiens struggled slightly with the fourth, most difficult dive — a 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck position.
However, their steady performances kept them ahead of Mexicans Kevin Berlin Reyes and Randal Willars Valdez, who finished fourth with 418.65 points.
“I knew it would come down to the last dive. Synchro is a tight event and I knew the Ukrainians and Mexicans, we were all neck and neck going into the final round," said Wiens.
“I had confidence in myself and confidence in Nathan and I knew we could do it.”
Wiens, who proudly displays a tattoo of the Olympic rings on his back, was asked if he'd add one for his bronze medal.
“I will keep the Olympic Rings as is and take this medal home and cherish it," he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2024.
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