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Chat Reel: Laura Wilkinson
Olympic diver plans on competing in 2004
Posted: Monday July 02, 2001 5:08 PM
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Laura Wilkinson became the first American in 36 years to win the 10-meter platform in the Olympics. Shaun Botterill/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Olympic diver Laura Wilkinson. Welcome Laura and thanks for joining us.
Laura Wilkinson: Thank you for having me!
From Eliza Jacobs in Philadelphia: Congratulations on your victory in Sydney. How did you maintain your focus and composure going in to the final dives, knowing you could possibly win the gold medal?
Laura Wilkinson: Well, I actually wasn't sure how close to winning I was. I really just wanted to be able to walk away and remember everything that happened -- to soak it in because you never know if you'll get a second chance.
From Kristin in Loveland, Colo.: Hey! Diving is an awesome physical sport, but it's tough on me mentally. I was just wondering what are some things you do to prepare mentally for diving competitions and learning new dives. Also, how do you deal with other people putting pressure on you?
Laura Wilkinson: Actually, yes, diving is much more mental than physical. For me, I really try to focus on my own dives and not what on other people are doing. You can't change what they're doing -- good or bad -- just on your own dives. I think that most pressure can only come from yourself. Everything that other people say, you have a choice to listen to it or not.
From Gregory in Cleveland, Ohio: I've heard that you did a superb job with your finals diving with a broken foot. How were you able to overcome that injury to win the gold?
Laura Wilkinson: Well, sometimes there are things more important than pain and fear and I decided that diving meant so much to me that I wanted to give it my all because you never know if you'll have a second chance.
From Lizbeth Opiola in Reston, Va.: Laura, Congratulations on your accomplishments in Sydney. It was amazing to see a fellow diver overcome such obstacles. When do you anticipate your return to the sport? What do you think your biggest challenge will be returning from surgery?
Laura Wilkinson: I actually returned to the sport a month ago -- officially. My biggest challenge is getting back into the weight program and getting back in to the swing of things. But I think my next big challenge is going to be returning to competition. My first shot at that will be at our nationals, which are in August.
From Patrick McDaniel in San Antonio, Texas: Just wondering if you may be headed back to Palo Alto College for any CODP platform demos in the future? The AAAD group and parents really enjoyed seeing all the team last summer and are anxious to see you again.
Laura Wilkinson: I don't know if we have any more shows there, but we all really did have a good time there. It was a really fun event.
From Dan Johnson in Nelson, B.C.: Laura, What do you focus on when standing on the board preparing to dive? How does trusting Jesus Christ enable you to "climb higher" and "dive better"? What advice would you give young people who are afraid of heights, hard work, or success?
Laura Wilkinson: Well, I focus on last-minute corrections and just trying to remember why I am there -- that it's fun, which is what it's all about. It allowed me to let go of my fears and take a leap of faith, so to speak. When you're not scared of anything and you have somebody by your side, you don't have anything to lose. It is scary at the beginning; I'll admit that. But you have to get up there and do that first dive. Just getting yourself to go is the first step. After that it's not as scary. That's one of the hardest parts of diving is taking that first step.
From Pat Frap: Laura, congratulations on making the team for the Goodwill Games. I was wondering, what is the best advice you would give to an aspiring diver, or swimmer for that matter?
Laura Wilkinson: Never give up, no matter how hard things get. If you can keep going, then you can look back and be proud of how far you've come.
From Katherine Thrasher in Flagstaff, Ariz.: Have you ever hit your head on the boards while attempting dives, ala Greg Louganis?
Laura Wilkinson: No, I haven't my head, but I have hit my hands and feet. I've seen some bad accidents and the most amazing part of some of those accidents is watching the divers overcome them.
From Dive5335: How important is weights and dry land training to diving?
Laura Wilkinson: Weights are very important because they enable you to jump higher and when you get stronger you can do harder dives. Dry land training is similar but it focuses more on technique. Your fine polish is one of the most important things in an aesthetic sport.
From Shannon in Federal Way, Wash.: Laura, Many divers come out of the Olympic Trials saying that that meet was their best ever. Did you feel like your Olympic Trials was your best meet?
Laura Wilkinson: Until the Olympics... I was very happy with how I did at trials, not just because it was a good meet, but because the situation I had faced right before it was so hard.
From Joey Ricci in Houston: Are you currently dating anyone?
Laura Wilkinson: (laughs) Yes, I am.
From wildo30: Laura, now that you have won a gold medal what are future goals you may have?
Laura Wilkinson: Well, I am finishing up college and I am diving again and I am going to go for another Olympics. And after that, I am not sure.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Laura Wilkinson. Laura, thanks for joining us.
Laura Wilkinson: Thanks so much for having me!
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