His jumps go around the world. Water jump teen Cedric Fofana is the second youngest participant in the field at just 17 years old when his nerves made him fall on the 3-meter board.
His attempt at three-and-a-half somersaults fails miserably: instead of sprinting, he ruthlessly lands on his back—the judge sentences the teenager straight to zero, 29th, and final. This is certainly not how Fofana envisioned her first Olympic appearance.
“I live in good spirits”
“I didn’t expect it at all,” says the Quebec young man, outwardly calm after the flop. « Mainly because the training session has been going very well for almost a month. Sure, it’s a little disappointing to start my Olympic dream like this, but with more games to come, I stay in good spirits. “
So far. His first Olympic experience hurts. Not just on the back. “I was very nervous,” admits Fofana. “But I think over time it will go away in international competitions.”
“Shameful for him, embarrassing for us”
His talent is undeniable. Canadian diving coach Mitch Geller explains: “You can’t shine a light on the reality: it was embarrassing for him, embarrassing for us. But it’s not his fault, it’s ours. He didn’t prepare properly for this competition.” “
After the zero point jump, Fofana was immediately comforted and hugged by Canadian-born Italian Sarah Jodoine Di Maria. Fofana: “He told me to cry if I felt like it. Drop everything, live the moment, learn and look forward.”
“A talent Canada has never seen before”
Trainer Geller: “This result doesn’t reflect his talent at all. He is one of those young jumpers with a talent that Canada has never seen before. Which makes this Olympic experience even more tragic.” She now just has to be more stable and minimize performance fluctuations, because “she has the strength, speed and flexibility”.
Zero point drama is a tough lesson for the young man. But it seems that he is easily turned away. On Instagram he writes: “Not exactly the result I expected. But I guess I can still say I’m an Olympic participant – or whatever. Laugh out loud “
After all, he’s not the only Olympic athlete to bring Canada back zero from Tokyo. His compatriot Pamela Ware (28) had already received the same note as she broke her jump fearing injury. (WST)
Brutal Flop at the Olympics: There is a straight zero for this jump(00:24)
Summer Olympics in Tokyo
The 32nd Summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan, from 23 July to 8 August 2021. All information about openings, broadcasts, competition dates, themes, innovations, locations and mascots can be found in the large overview.
The 32nd Summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, from 23 July to 8 August 2021. All information about openings, broadcasts, competition dates, themes, innovations, locations and mascots can be found in the large overview.
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