Olympics Schedule Diving: Everything You Need To Know, Including 2016 Start Times, History And Who To Watch

RTSKKVZ — A divers practices at the Olympic diving venue. Reuters

Some of the world’s best divers will take to the springboard at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro Sunday to try for a gold medal. The 2016 Summer Games represents a showdown between China, which won six gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics, and the United States, which came in second with four medals, including just one gold. Want to know more about the heated sports rivalry? Keep reading for everything you need to know about the splashy world of elite diving.

What Does Team USA Look Like? Calling themselves the “Perfect 10,” 10 athletes from across the nation will represent the United States in Brazil. They include Abby Johnston, a medical student at Duke University in North Carolina who recently got engaged. Team USA has something to prove. The U.S. diving team ended a 12-year medal drought in London and is looking to maintain that momentum in Brazil.

What Events Should I look Out For? The women’s individual 3-meter competition is scheduled for Aug. 12-14. Another favorite is the men’s 10-meter on Aug. 20.

When Did Diving Become An Olympic Sport? The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) was founded in 1908, but swimming became an official sport during the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. At the time, diving was already wildly popular in Sweden and Germany, where gymnasts took to performing tumbling routines into the water. The Amateur Diving Association was founded in 1901, according to the International Olympic Committee.

Where Can I Find Out More? USA Diving will post the results here. The full schedule is below:

Friday: Opening Ceremony

Sunday: 4 p.m. - Women’s synchronized 3-meter

Monday: 4 p.m. - Men’s synchronized 10-meter

Tuesday: 4 p.m. - Women’s synchronized 10-meter

Wednesday: 4 p.m. - Men’s synchronized 3-meter

Thursday: 3:30 p.m. - Women’s 3-meter preliminary 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 13: 4 p.m. - Women’s 3-meter semifinal

Aug. 14: 4 p.m. – Women’s 3-meter final

Aug. 15: 3:15 p.m. - Men’s 3-meter preliminary

Aug. 16: 10 a.m. - Men’s 3-meter semifinal; 6 p.m. - Men’s 3-meter final

Aug. 17: 3 p.m. - Women’s 10-meter preliminary