With the Paris Olympics in full swing, the excitement surrounding sports in China has reached new heights. Among all the events, one discipline stands out as a national favorite—diving. This sport, a mesmerizing blend of strength and grace, has a long and fascinating history. But how did diving evolve, and more importantly, how did China rise to dominate the sport?

Ancient Origins: A Leap Through Time

Diving, in its earliest form, was likely born out of survival. Ancient fishermen, inspired by the swift and elegant movements of seabirds, would leap off cliffs into the water, mimicking nature. Over time, these daring jumps turned into a form of entertainment and eventually developed into a structured sport.

Archaeological evidence supports this theory. A tomb in the ancient Etruscan city of Tarquinia (modern-day Italy) features a mural of a young man diving from a high rock into the sea, with his friends cheering from a nearby boat. Similarly, a 4th-century BC Greek vase housed in the British Museum depicts boys playing near the shore—one in mid-dive, another hesitating on a rock. Italy’s famous “Tomb of the Diver” in Paestum also features a striking fresco of a man plunging gracefully into blue waters. Some scholars argue that these images symbolize more than just sport, representing a philosophical leap into the afterlife.

Meanwhile, in ancient China, diving evolved as a spectacular performance art. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), aquatic performances were known as shui xi (water frolics). One of the most famous divers of the time was Cao Zan, who could leap from a towering 30-meter mast and land sitting upright on the water’s surface—an astonishing display of skill.

By the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), Chinese divers took things to the next level by incorporating swings into their performances. This early form of artistic diving, known as water swings, involved acrobats launching themselves from swings on boats, flipping midair, and landing gracefully in the water. These daring feats were so popular that even Emperor Huizong himself was a fan, sponsoring annual competitions at the imperial Jinming Pond in Kaifeng.

Modern Diving Takes Shape

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, diving had begun transforming into a competitive sport. In Sweden and Germany, gymnasts practiced aerial maneuvers over water, which led to the development of “fancy diving.” At the 1900 Paris Olympics, Swedish athletes stunned audiences with a breathtaking diving exhibition, propelling the sport onto the global stage. Four years later, diving made its official Olympic debut at the 1904 St. Louis Games. The sport continued to grow, with the formation of the International Amateur Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1908 and the introduction of women’s events by 1912.

For decades, the United States dominated the sport, amassing Olympic titles one after another. In the 1960s, European divers, particularly from Germany and Italy, began challenging American supremacy. By the 1970s, the Soviet Union emerged as another diving powerhouse, setting the stage for intense rivalries.

China’s Rise: From Humble Beginnings to Diving Royalty

If you think China’s diving success was inevitable, think again. Before the 1950s, the country had little presence in competitive sports, let alone diving. The scars of war and economic struggles left most people focused on survival rather than athletics. While traditional Chinese diving performances existed, they were seen more as entertainment than a sport.

That changed after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Recognizing the importance of sports for national pride and public health, the government launched ambitious programs to improve athletic training. However, diving started from scratch. In the early 1950s, China’s national diving competitions featured only a handful of participants, and training facilities were virtually nonexistent.

The turning point came in the 1970s when China established its national diving team. At the time, the team had just six members and no dedicated training space. They had to borrow equipment from swimming teams, using outdated wooden diving boards that lacked flexibility. In some cases, even those boards had to be borrowed from provincial teams—with signed loan agreements!

Yet, what China lacked in resources, it made up for in sheer determination. With limited access to international competitions, Chinese coaches and athletes studied foreign diving techniques through video analysis. They sketched out movements, dissected mechanics, and trained relentlessly to master difficult dives before their competitors. In 1973, when the rest of the world was still working on two-and-a-half somersault dives, China was already attempting three-and-a-half rotations.

The Turning Point: China’s First Diving Champions

China’s breakthrough came in 1979 when a 17-year-old diver named Chen Xiaoxia stunned the world by defeating reigning champion Galina Kalinina at the World University Games, securing China’s first-ever diving world title. Just five years later, at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, 19-year-old Zhou Jihong won China’s first Olympic gold medal in diving, officially marking the country’s arrival as a global force.

What followed was a golden era of Chinese diving. Legends like Gao Min, Fu Mingxia, Xiong Ni, Tian Liang, and Guo Jingjing dominated international competitions, cementing China’s reputation as the “Dream Team” of diving.

Most recently, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chinese divers Yang Hao and Lian Junjie clinched gold in the men’s synchronized 10m platform event, bringing China’s total Olympic gold count in diving to a record-breaking 49—surpassing the United States.

The Secret to China’s Success

China’s dominance in diving isn’t just about natural talent—it’s the result of a meticulously designed system. Central to this success is the legendary coach Xu Yiming, often referred to as the “Father of Modern Diving Techniques” in China. Xu revolutionized training methods by introducing land-based training techniques using harnesses and trampolines to perfect midair mechanics before athletes ever touched the water. While other countries initially dismissed these methods, they are now standard practice worldwide.

Another key factor is China’s emphasis on technical precision and difficulty. Unlike many nations that focus on execution alone, Chinese divers push the boundaries of difficulty, often debuting new, more complex dives that force competitors to keep up. This relentless pursuit of perfection has kept China ahead of the pack for decades.

What’s Next?

As the world watches the Paris Olympics, one thing is certain—China’s diving dynasty shows no signs of slowing down. With young stars constantly emerging and training systems continuously evolving, the nation remains a formidable force in the sport.

From ancient acrobats on water swings to modern Olympic champions, China’s journey in diving is a testament to resilience, innovation, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. And as long as there are gold medals to be won, you can bet China’s divers will be there, making history—one perfect dive at a time.