Canadian divers Despatie and Ross book tickets for London Olympics
LONDON - Canada's Alexandre Despatie and Reuben Ross punched their tickets to the London Olympics with a performance that was far more about boosting confidence than scoring points.
The duo, who until two weeks ago hadn't competed together in more than a year, finished fifth in the three-metre synchronized event Monday at a Diving World Cup at the new Aquatics Centre built for this Games on Monday to claim a spot in the Summer Olympics.
"It's great," Despatie said on a conference call. "I looked at Reuben right away after the event tonight, I could see the relief on his face and I felt exactly the same way."
Despatie, from Laval, Que., and Ross, from Regina, needed a top-seven finish to qualify, what Despatie called a "tall order" for the multiple world champion who was sidelined for most of last season with a knee injury.
The injury caused Despatie to miss a shot at an early qualification at last year's world championships in Shanghai, and the two-time Olympic silver medallist admitted his confidence had taken a beating. Read more >>
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