Olympic Diver Loukas To Compete in 3m Springboard

Editor’s Note: We’ve been following the journey of two-time Olympic diver Christina Loukas. This is part two in our series about her diving experience at the 2012 London Olympics.

Olympic diver Christina Loukas embarks on her second Olympics competition Friday in London for the 3m springboard prelims, and to get ready she has been doing a lot of physical training, but she’s also been preparing emotionally.

“I am training my dives every day and preparing mentally for my event,” Loukas said. “Just visualizing myself performing my dives to the best of my ability in the Olympic venue.”

Like bronze medalist, David Boudia, who is experiencing his second Olympics, Loukas looks at London much differently than Beijing.

“This Olympic Games has been completely different than Beijing,” she said. “Personally I just have a different mindset and I am not completely overwhelmed. I am looking at this meet as just another World Championship meet but with a different title to it. I am competing against the same divers as usual so I know what to expect and have more confidence in my ability.”

After her Olympic Trials experience, Loukas adds she has more to give in London and that she hasn’t peaked. She’s going into this competition with more to give — and to show the world what she can do.2012 has been a particularly excellent Olympics for the US Diving team. It started with Kelci Bryant and Abby Johnston winning the silver in the women’s 3m synchro; David Boudia and Nick McCrory  winning bronze in their synchro event, and continued with Troy Dumais and Kristian Ipsen winning bronze on Wednesday.

“When Kelci and Abby won the silver I was so excited for USA Diving,” Loukas added. “This was our first medal in 12 years! So it was a great start to the meet for our team and really inspired me personally. It just shows that getting a medal is in our reach and we just have to go for it.”While the US Diving team continues to train, there is down time. During that time, Loukas watches other events on TV, and hangs out in the athlete center they set up for the Olympians. There is a place called “The Globe”where they have set up pool tables, video games, board games for all the athletes in the village.

The Loukas extended family has also arrived in London. More than 20 family members are joining in the fun.

“My family is doing great,” Loukas said. “I think the majority of them have arrived by now. So they have been sightseeing and taking tours. I have been able to see them a few times which has been nice because my family helps keep me calm and relaxed.”

She said she is starting to get excited and nervous.

“I feel prepared so I am looking forward to tomorrow and finally being able to compete!”