This month the Hoosier state is hosting the 2016 Olympic diving trials. Below is all the information you need about the event at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). And while you probably won’t need your Ray-Ban’s inside the natatorium, make sure you pack them for exploring the beautiful campus.
Ray-Ban polarized lenses will not only protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, they’ll reduce glare and make your view more clear. When you’re not watching the diving competition, be sure to explore the stunning gardens and art collection at Allerton Park and Retreat Center, and the architecture of the Harry-Potterish Altgeld Hall is also not-to-be-missed.
Diving is one of the most captivating Olympic events to watch. Similar to Ice Skating in the Winter Olympics, diving is more than just a sport; it is an art form as well. These athletes have to incorporate grace and beauty into their sport, as well as athleticism. Throughout history the U.S has featured some notable athletes on both their male and female teams.
How many of these famous American athletes are you familiar with?
1. Which 2008 U.S Olympic Team Member is now pursuing a country music career as the lead singer for Northern Lights?
Answer: Thomas Finchum. In the 2008 Summer Olympics Finchum placed 12th in the individual 10-meter competition, and fifth in the 10-meter synchronized diving competition with David Boudia. After failing to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Finchum announced his retirement, and is now pursuing a career as a country singer.
2. Which U.S. Olympic Team Member won a silver medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics?
Answer: Scott Donie. As a member of the U.S. National Diving team for eleven years Donie joined the 1992 team with a lot of potential, and didn’t let his country down. He proudly took home the silver medal for America in the 10-meter platform. Donie returned to the Olympic stage for the 1996 Games, but finished just shy of winning another medal in the 3-meter springboard.
3. Which U.S. Team member is the only gold medalist in the Plunge for Distance event?
Answer: William Dickey. In the summer of 1904 William Dickey took home an Olympic gold medal. He holds the only gold medal ever awarded for the Plunge for Distance event, which was the precursor to the diving events we enjoy watching today.
4. Which Female Olympian attended the 2000 Olympic Games as one of the oldest living medalists?
Answer: Aileen Riggin. Aileen Riggin brought home a gold medal for the Women’s 3-meter springboard at the 1920 Summer Olympics. She attended the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney at 94 years old.
5. Which U.S. athlete is the youngest person to ever win an Olympic gold medal?
Answer: Marjorie Gestring. In the 1936 Summer Olympics Marjorie Gestring took home the gold medal for the 3-meter springboard event at only 13 years old. She would have competed again in the 1940 Summer Olympics if they hadn’t been cancelled due to World War II.
6. Which Olympic Diver won a gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics?
Answer: David Boudia. David Boudia took home the gold for the 10-meter platform event in the 2012 Summer Olympics, giving the U.S. its first gold in a diving event since 2000. He also took home a bronze medal in the synchronized 10-meter platform event with Nicholas McCrory.
7. Which female diver won 4 consecutive Olympic gold medals?
Answer: Patricia McCormic. In the 1952 Summer Olympics Patricia McCormic took home the gold in both the 10-meter platform and 3-meter springboard events. She returned to the Olympic team four years later and won the gold again for the same events.
8. Which Olympic medalist was also the first diver to ever score 100 points?
Answer: Mark Lenzi. Mark Lenzi is the winner of two Olympic medals, one gold in 1992 for the 3-meter springboard, and one bronze in 1996 for the same event. In addition to being the first diver to score 100 points, he is also the first man to complete a 4.5 twist.
9. Which Olympic athlete won 5 medals across 3 Olympic games?
Answer: Greg Luganis. Greg Luganis trained under Sammy Lee, another notable Olympic diver, and is perhaps one of the most notable U.S. divers in Olympic history. At just 16 years old Luganis took home his first Olympic medal, a silver in the 10-meter platform at the 1978 games. He went on to compete in two more Olympic games, winning a total of five medals (four gold, one silver). In 1984 he won a gold in the 10-meter platform, and another in the 3-meter springboard. He returned in 1988 and took home the gold again in the same two events.
10. Which American Olympic athlete took home the first gold medal for female American platform diver since 1964 in the 2000 Summer Olympics?
Answer: Laura Wilkinson. Laura Wilkinson took home the gold just months after a serious foot injury almost took her out of the game. She went on to compete in the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics as well.
Take off your Ray-Ban Polarized Lenses and get ready to be a part of the action in the natatorium!
Where and when are the 2016 trials this year?
In order to compete in the Olympics, athletes must first qualify to be on the team. This year, those qualifying trials will be held in Indianapolis. Although not all the athletes that attend the trials will move on to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics, the event is still notable as it brings together some of the best divers in the country.
The trials will be held from June 18th through June 26th in the newly renovated IU Natatorium. They will consist of 10 sessions over an eight-day period. Competitions will be held in both synchronized and individual categories for the 10-meter platform and 3-meter springboard events.
Tickets are now available online at www.ticketmaster.com, and range from $10 to $50 depending on the session, event, and seat location. All Session tickets may still be available as well. Tickets to the Trials include access to the AT&T H2O Zone. This fan area inside the Natatorium will feature a variety of family friendly activities, giveaways, and entertainment. Fans will also get the opportunity to meet with past and current Olympic stars during organized autograph sessions.
The United States Olympic Committee’s Road to Rio Tour will make a stop in Indianapolis during the Trials as well. The event will take place in downtown Indianapolis at Monument Circle on June 24th and 25th.
It’s likely that all that white stone of the Indiana State Soldiers and Sailors Monument is going to be shining with a reflection of the sun on a blue-sky summer day. Make sure you have your favorite frames with clean and clear Ray-Ban polarized lenses handy!
How are divers judged/scored?
If you are planning on attending the trials or watching the Olympic games this summer you may be interested to know how the scoring works.
A diving meet is conducted by a referee and a panel of 5 or 7 judges, as well as an announcer and scorers. The referee is in charge of ensuring all rules and regulations are observed, signaling when a dive begins, and when the score can be shown. Each judge awards the diver points based on a zero to ten scale according to his or her opinion of successful execution. A score above 8 is considered very good, a score between 6 and 8 is considered good, a score of 5 to 6 is considered sufficient, and anything below a 5 is considered deficient or unsatisfactory.
While judging a diving competition may seem fairly straightforward, there is actually a lot involved. Olympic divers are judged on everything from their starting posture to the way they jump. A successful diver must have complete control of his or her body at all times in order to pull off a winning dive. The main areas in which a diver is judged are as follows: starting position, approach, take-off, technique and grace during flight, and entry into the water.
Starting Position
The diver must stand completely still, with body straight, head erect, and arms straight and to the side or above the head. Once the diver moves from this position, the dive has begun, and he or she must follow through to the end. If the diver stops or stumbles, a penalty of two points per judge will be deducted from the final score.
The Approach
The diver should walk down the board maintaining good posture and a smooth and steady pace, taking a minimum of four steps including the hurdle. If the diver takes fewer steps, then another two-point penalty is deducted.
The Take-off
In springboard events the diver must leave the board from both feet, and in platform events the diver may take-off from one foot. The take-off itself must be bold, high, and confident. It can be performed from a running or standing position, and will be scored accordingly based on execution.
The Flight
The general standard is that the diver’s legs should be together, toes pointed during the duration of the flight. However, there are many more factors that go into judging the flight based on the type of dive being performed, and the body position selected.
There are six different types of dives:
Additionally, there are 4 different body positions which can be used:
The diver must follow through with the type of dive position that was announced or a penalty will be awarded. This includes the amount of twists included in the dive.
Entry
There are two different types of entries: head first or feet first. Either way the body must enter the water vertically with arms either above the head in line with the body (head first), or tightly at the sides of the body (feet first). The dive is not finished until the diver is completely submerged under water.
Whether you plan to watch the trials, or just watch the finalists compete in the Olympics this summer, understanding a little bit about the scoring is sure to make watching the events more entertaining. And who knows, if you decide to attend the trials, you may be able to get an autograph from one of the previous Olympic medalists mentioned in the quiz above.
And while you are outdoors this summer, be sure to protect your eyes. If your Ray-Ban lenses are scratched or cracked, remember, you don’t need to buy a whole new pair of sunglasses! You can keep your favorite Ray-Ban frames and just replace the lenses with OEM-quality, real polycarbonate, Ray-Ban polarized lenses. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s cost effective with LenzFlip.