Mexican diver Jashia Luna, who will compete in her third Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, said Thursday that her experience and effort give her confidence to be in the final of the three meters springboard.
Luna, the most experienced in the Mexican diving team, said her participation in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 gave her the confidence to perform the dives without nervousness in Beijing.
"It is an advantage to be the most experienced one, because nothing takes you by surprise; although the Games in Beijing 2008 are different and the feeling will be different, one already knows what to expect," Luna, who will turn 30 in December, told Xinhua.
Luna, who secured her Olympic berth in the World Cup in February, is confident to be in the final and then think in the possibility of a medal.
"My goal is to be in the finals; you can not think in medals if you are not in the finals first; therefore you have to be there first, nothing is impossible," said Luna.
Luna with Yahel Castillo and Laura Sanchez are trained by Mexican Jorge Rueda who trained the Mexicans winning medals: Carlos Giron in Moscow 1980, Jesus Mena in Seoul 1988 and Fernando Platas in Sydney 2000.
"What makes you a good diver is the constancy, and that is what I'm seeking; the dives are the ones I have recently presented, and I need at least grades from seven to up to keep myself in the board," Luna said
Mexico obtained seven Olympic tickets for diving according the criteria of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and from the Mexican Swimming Federation.
Laura Sanchez and Jashia Luna will compete in three meters springboard; Tatiana Ortiz and Paola Espinosa in 10 m platform and platform synchro; Rommel Pacheco and German Sanchez in platform and Yahel Castrillo in springboard.
The Mexican divers, among their 85 athletes in 70 events and 21 sports, are the ones who cherish the hope of winning medals in Beijing 2008.
(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2008)