By In a thrilling display of aquatic prowess, the United States secured its first medals of the 2024 Paris Olympics as Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook clinched silver in the women’s synchronized 3m springboard diving competition. The event, held on the opening day of the Games, saw China continue its diving dominance with gold, while Great Britain snagged bronze in a dramatic final round.
The Chinese duo of Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen, three-time defending world champions, lived up to their favorite status by scoring an impressive 337.68 points to claim gold. This victory marks the first Olympic medals for both Chang and Chen in their debut Games, further cementing China’s reputation as a powerhouse in diving.
Bacon and Cook, affectionately known as ‘Cook’N Bacon’, delivered a stellar performance, accumulating 314.64 points to secure silver. This achievement not only represents the first Olympic medals for both divers but also ends a 12-year medal drought for the United States in this event, last medaling in 2012.
The competition was fierce and unpredictable, particularly in the final round. Australia, holding third place going into the last dive, saw their medal hopes dashed when Anabelle Smith’s mistimed jump off the board disrupted the team’s synchronization. This unexpected turn of events opened the door for Great Britain’s Scarlett Mew Jensen and Yasmin Harper, who capitalized on the opportunity to claim bronze with a total score of 302.28.
The event unfolded over five rounds, with each presenting its own challenges and highlights:
In the opening round, China established an early lead with a 52.8-point dive, setting the tone for their dominant performance. Great Britain and the U.S. followed in second and third places respectively.
The second round saw the U.S. move into second place with 100.8 points, while Great Britain and Germany found themselves tied for third.
From the third round onward, teams were allowed to perform dives of unrestricted difficulty. China and the U.S. both executed an inward two-and-a-half somersault, with China scoring 71.1 points to extend their lead to nearly 10 points.
The fourth round featured another parallel between China and the U.S., both performing a three-and-a-half somersault pike. Despite a slight synchronization issue, China maintained their lead, while Cook and Bacon held onto second place by less than a point over Australia.
In the final round, both leading teams performed a forward two-and-a-half somersault with one twist, carrying a 3.1 degree of difficulty. China’s execution proved superior, outscoring the U.S. by more than six points and solidifying their gold medal position.
For Cook, this silver medal adds to her Olympic experience, having competed in the individual springboard at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Bacon, after four attempts to make the Olympic team, finally realized her dream in spectacular fashion.
The podium was rounded out by Great Britain’s Harper and Mew Jensen, whose consistent performance throughout the competition was rewarded with a bronze medal. Italy (Elena Bertocchi/Chiara Pellacani) narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with 293.52 points.
Looking ahead, Chang and Chen will aim for more gold in the individual springboard event, where they are once again favored to finish first and second. Bacon will also compete in the individual springboard, hoping to improve on her fifth-place finish at this year’s world championships.
This opening diving event has set a high bar for the aquatics competition at the Paris Olympics, showcasing the skill, precision, and competitive spirit that define Olympic diving. As the Games continue, all eyes will be on the pool to see if the U.S. can build on this early success and if any nation can challenge China’s diving supremacy.
