Bronze for four-time competitor

26 September 2000

Germany's Jan HEMPEL and Heiko MEYER won the bronze medal in the inaugural men's 10m synchronized platform event at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, earning HEMPEL his second medal in four Olympic appearances.

HEMPEL, a 29-year-old father of two, is the only four-time Olympic diver at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He won his first medal in Atlanta, winning the silver in the 10m Platform.

He and first-time Olympian MEYER began training together in 1998 and won the bronze medal at the World Championships later that year. The pair also won the event at the 1999 European Championships.

Despite these achievements, HEMPEL came into the 2000 Games with modest expectations.

"If you had asked us before the competition, we wouldn't have thought we were a chance for a medal," HEMPEL said after his event.

But a solid performance on the entire program's most difficult dive, a back 3-1/2 somersault tuck and reverse 3-1/2 somersault tuck, secured the bronze.

"It has the most risk but it paid off for us," said HEMPEL of the 78.54-scoring dive.

HEMPEL and MEYER, both of whom will compete in the Men's 10m Platform event on 29 September, have been encouraged by their performance so far at the Games. "This situation has given us a new lift, new courage and new strength for us to compete. The two of us will be together for awhile to come."

The pair plans to continue to compete in the event at the World Championships, held next year in Japan.