OLYMPIC GAMES | DIVING
Tokyo Olympics 2021: why do divers shower after every dive?
As we mere mortal watch on, there are various routines that catch our eye, and one of those that has created doubts is the actions of Olympic divers post-splash.
During the Olympic Games we often see little aspects of the elite sports stars' routines that make us pause for thought. Sometimes these can simply be an individual athlete's own personal preparation - sometimes even based on superstition - but others can have a very logical and specific reason. That latter explanation can be applied to divers and post-splash showers.
Olympic diving: muscle control
In the diving competition, most of our focus is on the twists, turns and negligible water displacement entry. Participants do, however, follow their routine with a quick dip in the shower or jacuzzi. But why?
Olympic Games news:
The main reason for this is to relax the muscles and keep them at the right temperature. This is because the water in the diving pool is cold, something that can damage the muscles, potentially affecting performance.
By stepping into the hydromassage tub or jacuzzi, the diver, in addition to maintaining an adequate temperature, helps their muscles relax and keeps them flexible and ready for the next dive in the competition.