US diving coach glad to be back on home turf

By Ma Yue  |   2008-8-4  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

WHEN Chen Wenbo, a former national diving coach, left the shores of China in 1992, little did he imagine that he would return as part of a United States team for the Beijing Olympics.

Chen spoke to the media at the MPC (Main Press Center) in Beijing yesterday, and he was excited to be back.

"We will do our best, and surely enjoy the competition here," said Chen, who is a trainer.

The 12-man US squad boasts Troy Dumais (men's three-meter springboard) and Laura Wilkinson (women's ten-meter platform), who are appearing in their third Olympics.

Wilkinson, in fact, impressed the world by becoming the only non-Chinese winner at the Athens Games, which, she said, was almost a miracle and something that "I believe is going to happen again."

Chen coaches Kelci Bryant, 19, and her 17-year-old partner Ariel Rittenhouse in the women's 3m synchronized.

"Wenbo is fun," said Rittenhouse. "He jokes with us often - he is an easy-going person." A view echoed by Bryant.

Asked if they would have "home advantage" due to Chen's Chinese roots, Bryant pointed out that having a coach from China is no longer a rarity. Australia has Tong Hui as its diving head coach while Belgium's table tennis head coach is Wang Dayong. "It makes China-dominant sports more interesting since China will no longer be the only nation in the spotlight."

Chen is confident about the US team's prospects despite a below-par show at Athens. "We have worked very hard for the past three years. We got medals at the 2006 World Cup, 2007 World Cup and a medal this February at the worlds. We believe we will break through this year."

John Wingfield, US head coach, praised Chen. "The significant change in discipline in our organization at the training center has certainly come about due to his influence, along with some goals that he had in terms of home-schooling our athletes. That influence has really taken us up over the past 3-1/2 years."