Marić Becomes First Croatian Olympic Diver
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami rising sophomore Marcela Marić has made history, becoming the first diver of Croatian descent to ever qualify for the Olympics.
Marić is the second Hurricanes diver to book tickets to Rio; Sam Dorman, who graduated from Miami in 2015, was one half of the duo to claim the United States’ spot in the synchronized 3-meter event at U.S. Olympic Trials last month.
“Becoming the first Croatian diver to ever qualify makes me incredibly honored and excited to represent my country in Rio,” Marić said. “I also want to say that non of this would be possible without my amazing Miami coaches, Randy Ableman and Dario Di Fazio, for whom I am greatly thankful.”
Marić, who will be competing in the 3-meter springboard event, punched her ticket by virtue of her performance at the 2016 FINA World Cup.
“It is fantastic news,” Ableman said. “She earned her spot at the World Cup in Rio, where she placed 27th, and that was just good enough for her to earn a spot. We knew it was going to be close, and it’s a very complex system.”
Ableman said that Marić, who was initially in danger of missing the cut for the Olympics, was overwhelmed upon receiving the news.
“She was crying with sadness when I called, then when I gave her the news she started crying even more – tears of happiness,” Ableman said. “It made me feel good about how important it is to her, and she’s worked very hard this year. For her to represent her country, and be the first Croatian to do so, I’m very proud of her.”
Marić is the 13th diver to qualify for the Olympics at Miami under the direction of Ableman, who will serve on the Team USA coaching staff.
“When Randy first told me, I couldn’t believe it – and I still can’t believe that my biggest dream came true,” she said. “The feeling is just indescribable.”
“It’s all for these kids,” Ableman said. “There is no professional diving – there’s no paycheck. You work so hard at your craft, and the Olympics is the ultimate payoff. It’s a dream these kids start with, when they do their first entry in the water.
“To be there when they make it happen, and the fact that they’re training here at Miami as part of our college team, obviously it makes all the hard work feel more than worth it.”
