Dinsmore Earns USA 2nd Berth for 2016 Olympics
RIO DE JANEIRO – University of Miami diver David Dinsmore helped Team USA earn a coveted second spot in the platform event for the 2016 Olympic Games Tuesday, recording a 10th place finish in the preliminary rounds of the FINA Diving World Cup.
Facing some of the toughest competition in the world, Dinsmore – with help from Hurricanes head diving coach Randy Ableman – had built confidence in securing a trip to the 18-man semifinal round.
By scoring 412.15 points and placing 10th, he did just that.
“In my practices, I felt very confident. I was feeling good about everything,” Dinsmore said. “Randy was awesome. He really knows how to make sure you stay focused and excited about the contest at the same time, while also having a little fun with it.”
With one round to go, he was in 17th and on the bubble of advancing, but he finished out his list with 86.40 points on his back 2 ½ with 2 ½ twists to jump into 10th in the standings.
An accomplished international diver for Team USA, Dinsmore made the semifinal round in the past two FINA World Championships. Spending time at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center in Rio alongside fellow Hurricanes Sam Dorman and Marcela Maric made the experience even more enjoyable for Dinsmore.
Maric, a native of Zadar, Croatia, placed 29th in the 3-meter preliminaries, which were also held Tuesday. She finished with a score of 253.40.
“I love the fact that our school has produced such great divers – not only in the USA, but around the world,” Dinsmore said.
Dinsmore said the impressive tradition of Miami divers is not restricted to just international participants at the FINA World Cup or elsewhere.
“There are so many Canes that have graduated and become coaches for other countries,” he said. “It’s amazing hearing their stories about their days at Miami.”
With the U.S. finishing in the top 18, it secured its second quota spot to compete in the event at this summer’s Olympic Games. The U.S. secured its first spot last year when David Boudia won the silver medal on 10-meter at the 2015 World Championships.
All quota spots earned are for the country, not the divers themselves. USA Diving will select its Olympic Team at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Diving in Indianapolis from June 18-26.
The FINA World Cup concludes Wednesday with semifinals and finals in the men’s 10-meter competition.
