The Australian diving team expects to win two medals in the Beijing Olympic Games, said their head coach in a news conference?in Beijing?on Wednesday.
"To win a gold is good, but we don't want to have too much pressure, " said their Chinese coach Tong Hui. "We expects two medals."
The Australian team won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games as Chantelle Newbery took the women's 10 meters platform, which was a big surprise at that time.
"If there's a gold this time, we will not be surprised. The gold means we do it well, and we know what we are doing."
Tong said the Australian divers do have some advantages in some events. The women's 10m platform might be one of them. "Melissa Wu is quite talented," said Tong. "If she can do a fantastic job, like she did earlier this year in Canada Cup, she will definitely win a medal."
Wu, 16, winner of the women's 10 platform in the Canada Cup in May, is the youngest diver in the Australian team. "It's my first Olympics, but I feel rather excited than nervous. As I am half Chinese, Beijing Olympics means a lot for me. I'll do my best," Wu said on Wednesday.
Alexandra Croak is another diver competing in the women's 10m platform. "Alex is amazing," said the head coach. "She used to be a gymnastics, but she transformed very well. If she does well, a top six can be achieved."
Wu will also take part in the women's 10m platform synchronized with partner Briony Cole, and they are the silver medallist of the event in 2007 Melbourne Worlds and bronze medallist in the 2008 "Good Luck Beijing" FINA Diving World Cup in February.
The men's 10m platform might be another favorite event for the Australian. Tong said the two divers in the event, Matthew Helm, 28, silver medallist of the event in Athens Olympics, and Matthew Mitcham, 20, are both really good. "The two divers have different characters, but both carrying on the artistic of the sports. If they perform precisely, there is a medal hope too."
"But this event is very strong of the world, "Tong added. "There are many good divers, like the American, the German, and Great Britain, especially the young Briton Thomas Daley."
Helm will also compete in the men's 10m platform synchronized with his old partner Robert Newbery, and they are the bronze medallist of the event in Athens.
Robert Newbery will also take part in both individual and synchronized of the 3m springboard. "Robert is good," said Tong. "If he does a good job, a top six will be possible."
Coming to Australia in 2001, Tong said he felt comfortable there: "I am comfortable in Australia. Different from the Chinese team, the Australian team are all amateurs, and the atmosphere is very relaxed."
(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)