Diving is falling or jumping into water from a platform or diving board.
Divers perform acrobatics as they fall.
Olympic diving events are from a springboard or from a high platform called the 'highboard' which is 10 metres above the water.
A diver tries to enter the water without splashing ©Getty Images
Springboard and platform diving
Olympic diving events are from a springboard, 3 metres above the water, or from a high platform called the 'highboard' which is 10 metres above the water.
In springboard diving the men divers must do 5 compulsory dives and 6 dives of their own choice. Women divers must do 5 compulsory dives and 5 of their own choice.
In platform diving men do 4 compulsory dives and six other dives of their own choice. Women do 4 compulsory dives and 4 of their own choice.
Divers in all events try to enter the water without a splash.
Syncronised diving
Divers leave the springboard and enter the water at the same time in synchronised diving. ©iStock
Synchronised diving events are for 2 divers who dive at the same time, perform the same moves and enter the water together. There are synchronised diving events for both men and women from the springboard and from the highboard.
Divers score points
Seven judges give points for each dive. The points are for how well the dive is done and for how difficult a dive it is.
He is preparing to dive from the highboard. ©iStock
Diving history
Diving into water has has been popular since ancient times.
Diving became popular in Sweden and Germany about 300 years ago when gymnasts started performing tumbling routines into the water.
Diving competitions began in the 1800s
Diving became an Olympic event for men in 1904. Women first competed in 1912
Synchronised diving became an Olympic event in 2000 at the Sydney Games.
