Team GB star Jack Laugher has admitted he “said some horrible things” under the water after completing his third dive in the 3m springboard final at the Paris Olympics. The 29-year-old finished seventh in the event, with China’s Xie Siyi clinching the gold ahead of compatriot Wang Zongyuan.
Laugher, who won gold and silver at Rio 2016 as well as a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, claimed his fourth Olympic medal in the synchronised event last week.
But his hopes of landing a fifth were effectively ended following a mistake on his third dive on Thursday as he over-rotated and scored just 35.70 points.
And after the event, the gutted athlete told the BBC: “I’m sad. I think I just let today get the better of me. All week after the synchro I was taking everything as it came and I didn’t mind how the result was going to be.
“That gave me some freedom as I competed. Today I had excellent training and I think I just got a little bit too ahead of myself, I think with the emotion. The crowd noise was absolutely phenomenal today.
“Following Osmar [Olvera] – such a wonderful diver – with such massive support for himself, I didn’t expect that to affect me the way it did. I’m really proud of this Olympics, I’m proud of myself – four Olympic medals. It’s hard to be sad, but right now in this moment obviously I’m devastated.
“Every time I dive, I’m trying to stick to my own routine. Today I let the emotion get the better of me. It wasn’t pressure, it wasn’t nerves. I had so much adrenaline coursing through me and I think you could see that had off my first two dives.
“They were a little bit nervy and not quite as good as they usually are. I got the best start I’ve ever got on that third dive and I went coursing over.
“I’m glad there’s no underwater microphones because I said some horrible things under there. But it was really difficult. I’ve got to pass the baton on at some point. He’s (Olvera) just 20 years old and a fantastic athlete and I’m honoured to be in and amongst such amazing people and athletes.”
And Laugher added: “I’ve done myself really proud. Obviously the dream was to get two medals and after my training this afternoon I really thought maybe I could do something extremely special today. It’s not to be but I’ll try and learn from this and move forward. But right now I’m really sad.
“I think what me and Tom [Daley] have done for the sport, especially Tom for my career personally, the legacy we’re going to leave behind is absolutely wonderful.
“Between us we’ve got nine medals and I just think our accolades, and who we tried to be as people and athletes, really sets the tone. If we can inspire the next generation coming through then that’s my job done.”
