Giving his best: Bertrand Rhodict in action during the 10m platform event at the Paris Olympics Aquatics Centre. — Bernama
NATIONAL diver Bertrand Rhodict was a devastated young man at the Paris Olympics Aquatics Centre. The 19-year-old, making his debut Olympics appearance, had to make an early exit from the competition.
He was far from his best as he managed total of 313.70 points after six dives, to see himself placed last but one in the 26-man field of the men’s 10m platform event yesterday.
Only the top 18 divers advanced to the semi-final.
Bertrand had scored 442.35 in the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, last year to earn his ticket to Paris.
“I let myself down,” he said, almost in tears. “I know my ability and what I can do, but this time I just could not deliver.”
“Maybe the pressure got to me. My parents are also here watching and I wanted to give them a good performance. I just didn’t do well.
“The Olympics is definitely on a different level. The environment is tough yet everyone is supportive. I did my best but couldn’t deliver a good result,” he said.
Bertrand started his run with a 66.00 in his first dive, but his score plummeted in the following dives as the difficulties increased, scoring 60.80, 49.50, 34.00, and 37.80 in the following attempts.
But his sixth and final attempt was better, giving him 65.60 but it wasn’t enough to see him inside the top 18.
China’s Cao Yuan finished top with 500.15 points, while Japan’s Rikuto Tamai came in second with 497.15 and Canada’s Rylan Wiens took the third spot with 485.25 points.
Bertrand, the only Malaysian male diver to have qualified for the Olympics, admitted that the level of competitiveness at the Olympics was very different and the pressure may have played a part in his poor performance.
Although disappointed, Bertrand’s spirit remains unbroken and he has promised to bounce back.
“I know I have it in me to come back stronger. Not just at the next Olympics in Los Angeles but every competition after this. I will be better and hopefully do well,” said Bertrand, who was the country’s flagbearer for the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, Nur Dhabitah Sabri finished last out of 12 divers in the women’s 3m springboard final with a total score of 244.80.
