Guo Jingjing biography
Guo Jingjing, (born October 15, 1981, Baoding, Hebei province, China), Chinese diver who competed in 4 consecutive Summer Olympic Games, successful gold medals within the 3-metre springboard and synchronized 3-metre springboard (with associate Wu Minxia) occasions in 2004 and repeating the feat in 2008 (once more partnered with Wu on the synchronized occasion). Those accomplishments, coupled together with her a number of victories in world diving championships, elevated her to the standing of most adorned diver—male or feminine—within the historical past of the game.
Guo grew up in Baoding, China, a metropolis situated about 90 miles (140 km) south of Beijing. At age seven she was “discovered” at her elementary college by diving coach Yu Fen, who had risen to prominence teaching Olympic champion Fu Mingxia. Guo, who went to reside on the sports activities college the place Yu coached, progressed quickly below her mentor’s steering. At age 14 she was chosen for China’s Olympic group and made her worldwide debut on the 1996 Atlanta Games. She completed fifth, however it was clear that {the teenager} had the expertise, the willingness to work laborious, and a sure, undefinable aptitude for her sport that made her one thing particular.
Yu retired after the Atlanta Games, and Guo transferred to educate Zhou Jihong, who had turn out to be China’s first Olympic diving champion, in 1984. Under Zhou, she gained silver medals in each the 3-metre springboard and 3-metre synchronized occasions on the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Training for 5 to seven hours a day, she gained double golds on the world championships in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009, to associate with her two golds on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Guo was one of many prime favourites to win gold on the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She had not misplaced a significant worldwide occasion, both particular person or synchronized, on the 3-metre springboard since 2001, and he or she didn't disappoint the house crowd. Standing 5 toes 4 inches (1.63 metres) and weighing simply 108 kilos (49 kg), Guo exploded off the springboard, twisting and tumbling within the air in a approach that seemingly defied gravity; then, together with her physique completely aligned, she lower by means of the water’s floor, producing barely a sound or a ripple as she entered. In the tip she once more walked away with the gold in each the 3-metre springboard and the synchronized 3-metre springboard. In 2011 Guo retired from aggressive diving.
An enormous movie star in her place of origin, Guo appeared in industrial commercials and gossip magazines and was usually pursued by Chinese paparazzi. Her courting relationships, akin to one with one other prime Chinese diver, Tian Liang, drew significantly intense—and unwelcome—consideration from the press. Although Guo was naturally outgoing and pleasant, she was additionally fiercely protecting of her privateness, which, now and again, led to clashes with the press.