Korean diver's mistake in 10m platform preliminary dubbed 'the heartbreak of the Olympics'
Updated . First published at
Korea's Im Yong Myong had six chances to lock in a spot in the men's 10m platform diving semi-finals, but it took just one mighty mistake to unravel his hard work.
On his fifth of six dives during the preliminary round on day 14 at Paris 2024, Yong Myong fell out of his formation too early, and flopped right onto his back in painful scenes.
The dive scored just 16.20 and, more painful than the act itself, cost him a spot in the semi-finals, as he slipped out of the top 18 who qualified.
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The crowd were heard screaming in pain and shock, reacting to the failed dive, which saw him attempt back 3.5 somersaults.
"Oh no, a major mistake here. He was sitting comfortable," diving expert Sam Fricker said on Nine.
Im Yong Myong's coach was shocked at the dive. Nine
"Sitting pretty, but not anymore. This is the biggest mistake we have seen in competition so far, and his whole team knows it.
"That's the heartbreak of the Olympics.
"A poor decision coming out of the dive, he came out way too early."
Im Yong Myong made a massive splash for all the wrong reasons, after a failed dive. Nine
He finished in 22nd, with a total score of 347.10.
Meantime, both Australian hopefuls, Cassiel Rousseau and 17-year-old Jaxon Bowshire, qualified comfortably in the top 18.
They have both reached the semi-finals.
