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´Diving czar´ Sautin leaves Beijing Olympics with no regrets

Source: Xinhua | 08-20-2008 13:10

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

BEIJING - It might be a little sad as Dmitry Sautin ended his Beijing Olympics with a fourth place in the men's 3m springboard. However, with eight Olympic medals, including a silver in Beijing, the last Olympic Games for the legendary diver is good enough.

Dmitry Sautin of Russia competes in the men's 3m springboard diving final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 19, 2008. 
Dmitry Sautin of Russia competes in the men's 3m springboard 
diving final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 19, 2008.
 

In Tuesday's men's 3m springboard final, the Russian diving icon made six solid dives, especially the last one. Sautin made a 5353B, reverse 2 1/2 somersault 1 1/2 twist in pike position, which gained 99.75 point, the highest of his six dives and also ranked second in the round.

Chinese diver He Chong led all the way to win the gold, while Canadian golden boy Despatie took the silver. The bronze went to Chinese Qin Kai.

"I performed normally, and the score was good. I'm satisfied with that, and I've tried my best. Although I made some mistakes, I finished the competition respectable."

"I'm very satisfied with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, at least we got a silver medal," said the 34-year-old Sautin, who claimed a silver medal in synchro 3m springboard with partner Yuriy Kunakov on August 11.