<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-08-10/Mexico-diving-coach-Ma-Jin-discusses-her-team-s-performance-in-Paris-1vWUt91QPaU/img/d8cf9fbe610641c68cb9cbd1b4b08f1c/d8cf9fbe610641c68cb9cbd1b4b08f1c.png' alt='Ma Jin (R), coach of the Mexican diving team, speaks to CGTN Sports Scene's Greg Laffradi during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. /CGTN'
The undisputed global leader in diving, China, fought through a scare in the men’s synchronized 3-meter springboard final at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics when Wang Zongyuan and Long Daoyi had to come from behind to edge Mexico’s Osmar Olvera and Juan Celaya by just two points.
The Mexicans learned their skills under a Chinese diving coach, Ma Jin, who spoke to CGTN Sports Scene’s Greg Laffradi about their performance.
Olvera paired with Celaya to secure the men’s synchronized 3-meter springboard silver and then earned the men’s 3-meter springboard bronze at the Paris Games. He became the first Mexican diver to take home two medals from one edition of the Games since 1956.
“I am very satisfied with the competition,” Ma said in the interview. “Osmar OIvera is just 20 years old and this is his second Olympics. He competed in two events this time, and did especially well in the synchronized 3-meter springboard, as they earned the first Olympic medal in this event for Mexico, which was a breakthrough for the country. For Osmar to claim two medals at a single Olympics was the first time in 58 years for Mexico. Even the President of Mexico sent a message congratulating Osmar on making history.”
One of the keys to Ma’s success in coaching the Mexican diving team has been the way she manages to combine the unique Chinese training style with personal charm.
“We all know that the Chinese diving team is the ‘dream team,’ and I have coached in China,” Ma said. “I think it’s hard to beat China’s team. Compared to the Chinese team, there is indeed a big gap with the other diving teams. The training, management, system and other aspects are all different. I adapted my training methods for the Mexican divers by expressing them better, but only a few people can persist and more choose to give up. They say I’m very serious, but I think I’m normal, yet some of them are scared of me. I think my coaching style is a combination of Chinese skills and personal charm, which can help some Mexican divers achieve excellent results.”
Ma also said she hopes Olvera’s success can help boost the development of diving in Mexico.
