July 27th 2024.
Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen made history as they secured Britain's first female diving medal in 64 years at the Paris Olympics. The dynamic duo paid tribute to their former coach, David Jenkins, who had played a crucial role in their journey to the podium.
Their performance was nothing short of spectacular as they dazzled the audience with their synchronised 3m springboard dives. They began with a remarkable score of 50.40, setting the bar high for their competitors. However, as the competition progressed, they found themselves outside of the medal places.
But in a nail-biting turn of events, the Australian team made a mistake, allowing Yasmin and Scarlett to clinch the bronze medal. China and the USA took home the gold and silver respectively. The joy and relief were evident on the faces of the British pair as they celebrated their historic win.
After the medal ceremony, Yasmin and Scarlett expressed their elation in an interview with BBC Sport. "We're so excited, we're so pleased with ourselves," beamed Harper. "We came into this event with a clear goal in mind, and we're proud that we were able to deliver it this morning."
The pair shared a special bond and a pre-dive ritual, encouraging each other to stay calm and focused. This paid off as they decided to switch their order for the final dive, placing their most challenging one last. This strategic move gave them an advantage in the competition and secured them the medal.
Yasmin also acknowledged the pressure on their Australian competitors, stating, "When it's tight like that, we knew that they had to falter a bit. For them to feel the pressure and make a mistake, it meant that we could claim the bronze medal, and we couldn't be happier."
The late David Jenkins, who had coached Team GB's diving squad in Tokyo four years ago, was on the minds of both Yasmin and Scarlett as they stood on the podium. Jenkins, a former Commonwealth silver medallist, tragically passed away at the age of 31. He was found unconscious in a swimming pool in Turkey, and his death was attributed to adult death syndrome.
Mew Jensen emotionally shared, "I was thinking about him when we found out that we got the bronze. I know he would be so proud of us. We were doing it when he was around, and now, to come back and be Olympic medallists, it's an indescribable feeling. I wish he was here to witness it, but I wish the events leading up to his passing never happened."
Scarlett also had her own battles to overcome as she suffered a back fracture just weeks before the Games. Her participation was in doubt, but she persevered and came out on top. "I'm lost for words. A month ago, I didn't think I was going to be here," she shared. "To be up on the board and come away with a medal, I can't even imagine anything better."
Yasmin and Scarlett's incredible performance and heartfelt tribute to their coach were a testament to their determination, resilience, and teamwork. They made history and showed that anything is possible with hard work and a supportive team by your side.
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