Bob Ballard is covering diving for the BBC. He wrote this account of Mitcham’s gold-medal performance for Outsports.
By Bob Ballard
We knew it was a good last dive - everyone in the commentary area sprang out of their chairs like they had suddenly been electrocuted, but when the marks came up, a hush descended on the Water Cube, while the commentators, myself included, went into overdrive.
112.10. 112.10! I was ready to book an early appointment with the opticians; these contact lenses are malfunctioning I thought. But no, it was on my computer screen, the back 2 1/2 somersaults with 2 1/2 twists had been performed by Matthew Mitcham to near perfection. One judge, whose marks counted, gave it a 9.5 but coupled with the perfect 10’s it gave him a world record score, beating by some three points the previous mark of Germany’s Sascha Klein, who didn’t manage to make it into the last 12.
It was all too much for the next diver, China’s Huo Llang, who despite the encouragement of the home crowd couldn’t even manage to displace Gleb Galperin of Russia for the bronze.
In retrospect, I shouldn’t be that surprised that the 20-year-old from Sydney nailed his last dive. I was at the Aquatics Center a little earlier on Saturday night to watch the practice dives of all the main competitors. Mitcham was repeating a dive to the point of being obsessed by it. It looked fine to me just about every time, but he was intent on getting it right. If you believe the adage about practice makes perfect, and you surely must after that, then the Aussies attention to detail paid off in a big way.
When the inevitable waterworks started after the final result came up, there could hardly have been a dry eye in the house. All of the non-Chinese divers, and those who weren’t involved in this competition, rushed to congratulate Mitcham, he was mobbed by just everyone, coaches from other teams, volunteers and his entourage.
It was a very special sporting moment - one of the highlights of the Games and not because of the significance of his win.
When I talked briefly with the 10 meter platform victor following the medal ceremony, and several TV interviews down the line - Mitcham played down the fact that it has been a momentous year on many fronts, just, modestly, highlighting that he had completed the job he set out to do in the competition with his best ever dive. He paid tribute to the Chinese divers who had pushed him all the way and when I suggested that the noise in the venue could have affected him adversely on his final dive, he confessed to shutting everything out but the task he had to perform by taking that few extra seconds to make sure.
As we spoke I think the realization of what he had achieved was starting to dawn on the rather shy but affable Aussie. His life has changed in so many ways in 2008, but this must eclipse everything. The fact that he unburdened himself and was proud to represent his country as a gay Olympian, should make it easier for those who want to follow that path.
Matthew Mitcham you are a true ground-breaker.
Related: News story on Mitcham winning gold.
Photo: Matthew Mitcham with the author:
By Jim Buzinski
7 responses so far ↓
1 Jim Allen // Aug 23, 2008 at 6:06 pm
FUCK YES! Way to go! Even though I know how it turned out, I can’t wait to see it tonight. He was incredible on Friday, so I thought he might do well, but nothing like this.
Congratulations to Matthew Mitcham and thanks for a lovely story.
2 canmark // Aug 24, 2008 at 11:35 am
Bob Ballard, you may have seen the debate on Outsports over whether the media should be mentioning the fact that Matthew Mitcham is gay. As a journalist yourself, what is your feeling, and what do you think is the feeling of other journalists and media outlets? Are your fellow journalists talking about this amongst themselves? Are they even aware that Mitcham is gay? Do you think an athlete’s sexuality or personal life is relevant to coverage of their performance at a major sporting event?
3 Yarddog // Aug 24, 2008 at 5:41 pm
We all know why it is important that Mitcham is out … it is for all the kids his age, and I dare say for the older guys like me, who are seeing the world around us change for the better and the hope that represents.
The NBC media here has yet to say anything. They talk about every other kind of “happenings” in the stories of the other Olympians and their families … Mr. Mitchams story is just as heartfelt; his win just as spectacular. I just hope we get to hear more about him.
I’d like to add my own congratualtions, as well.
4 Glenn // Aug 24, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Great article. What a fantastic story and the highlight of the games for me. It is such a great journey in many ways for the lad to win Gold and I’m sure we will here lots about in the future. He deserves everything that comes he way and it must of been a special moment to be there when he won.
5 MIchael // Aug 25, 2008 at 4:42 am
Matt being gay is obviously something that needs to be discussed by the media, but only in context. This is because:
- it is relevant to the journey he has made to these games and his success. In the future, this part of the story is no longer a relevant factor; and
- the media are obsessed by the sexuality of other, heterosexual athletes. In Australia we were bombarded with stories about our swimmers Stephanie Rice and Eamon Sullivan who used to be a couple and the story about IF / Whether she kissed Michael Phelps. The sexuality of these people is part of the story.
Sexuality can be relevant or irrelevant to the story.
6 Dave // Aug 25, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Well, this is such a great surprise! My partner and I were at a restaurant in downtown Chicago and it was on in the bar. But it was truly, afterthought coverage by NBC at 10pm. ANd the Chinese were in the lead AGAIN and of course, I had just said that I wished someone else from another country would prevent the sweep. Unfortunately, we missed the result until I jsut read it on here. I am sooo happy for him and his family. THAT IS NOT ONLY A GREAT STORY ABOUT AN OUT ATHLETE, BUT AN ATHLETE WHO DID THE UNTHINKABLE, TO STOP THE CHINESE SWEEP! BRAVO!
7 James B // Sep 16, 2008 at 7:19 am
You look like you have a large cock!
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