Following her mishap in Tokyo in 2021, when she dove feet first after missing her jump call that eliminated her from the Olympic finals, two-time Olympian Pamela Ware has endured some very rough times.
Finishing fourth before his final jump in the 3-meter dash, Ware failed to qualify for the grand final and his world collapsed.
“I wasn’t myself anymore,” the 30-year-old diver summed it up. It was really, really tough, both mentally and physically. Even today I sometimes watch the Tokyo episode again when I fall into the water. It’s hard to get over this experience, but I take my time and I get there. »
Ware never thought he would experience such a crossroads.
“I thought it would pass quickly,” she said, but it was really, really, really difficult. The key is not to overthink it and forget the past. It’s this state of mind that allows me to persevere when I’m struggling in training. My self-confidence was zero after Tokyo. It’s better now and I’m confident on the springboards. »
Ware crossed the fateful jump off his list, a one-and-a-half somersault over the hand with three-and-a-half twists.
“I tried to bring him back but mentally it was too much for me,” she explained. I decided to cross it off my list and create another one. »
The Greenfield Park jumper has revised her plans after her failure in Tokyo. “Before the Tokyo Games I thought it would be my last games, but when I fell in the water I changed my mind. There was no way I would end with such a remark. i’m on a mission I want to do well and end my career with a good degree. My call bounce is more stable now. »
breath of fresh air
The appearance of Hui Tong was like a breath of fresh air for Ware.
“I love my new coach,” she said with her best smile. He is so positive and he helps me a lot. At one point I was extremely negative and he always cheered me up. »
“At first I was skeptical about the change of coach because I had such a good relationship with Aaron [Dziver] and I knew the little Hui to track goods. After a few months I noticed that the change was really good for me. It’s such a good game for both of us. »
Back to the big stage
The second World Cup of the season after that of China, where Canada was conspicuous by its absence, the Montreal stage, which will take place this weekend at the Olympic Park Sports Center, represents the return to the big stage of the two-time Olympian, who was unable to compete for to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
“I’m still here,” she told reporters at the launch. I can’t wait to compete. My last competition dates back to the Tokyo Games and we all know how it ended. »
Ware will also be in action in the 3m synchro with two-time World Championships medalist Mia Vallée. The two went underground together for the first time on Tuesday.
“We don’t have the same starting jump at all, but we have great adaptability. Everything went very well. »
A breath of fresh air is blowing at Diving Canada
Canada had its least productive Olympic Diving Games in Tokyo and changes were made to breathe new life into the discipline.
Since Athens 2004, Canada had always won at least two medals. In the Japanese capital, Jennifer Abel and Mélissa Citrini-Beaulieu escaped the shutout by winning silver in the 3m synchro.
On the tower, still in sync, Meaghan Benfeito and Caeli McKay had finished at the foot of the podium.
Olympic champions Abel and Benfeito have resigned; Citrini-Beaulieu is out with a collarbone injury and major changes have been made in the coaching staff.
new faces
In Montreal for the first international stop since the World Series in March 2020, the Canadian team presents a completely different face with young wolves who already shone at the last World Aquatic last summer in Budapest and want to prevail on the house.
Among them, Nathan Zsombor-Murray of Pointe-Claire and Rylan Wiens gave the last world medalist Canada’s first 10m synchronized medal in history, and Mia Vallée scored a doubles at the same championship, another first.
“We have the girls to continue the legacy of Benfeito and Abel and to make the transition a success,” said coach Mary Caroll, who runs the National Center in Saskatoon. On the men’s side, we now have athletes who are beginning to shine on the international scene like in the days of Alexander [Despatie]. It’s good to finally have men who can fight for podiums. It’s a very exciting time. »
Strive for the podium
Caroll believes Canada is in good shape.
“You can aim for the podium at all events,” she said. The competition comes from China, but also from Great Britain and Australia. »
After returning from Tokyo, Diving Canada decided to rely on four national centers instead of regrouping all athletes in Montreal as it had for a long time.
“We found that there are good divers all over the country and it’s not always possible to ask young people who are 16 or 17 to move to the other side of the country,” said Caroll, who has been in diving for more than 30 years the industry operates . It was the right time to change the coaching staff. These new trainers are a breath of fresh air. »