QUT Sport

Scott prepares for Olympic plunge

 

With less than two seconds between start and finish, Olympic diving hopeful Scott Robertson knows that every moment counts.

That is why the QUT student has taken time off from his uni studies and is training 40 hours a week in the lead-up to the selection trials for the Beijing Olympics.

This month Scott, who is undertaking a Bachelor of Construction Management degree at QUT, will go head-to-head with divers from across the country all vying for one of four positions on the squad.

Currently placed first in Australia in the men's 3m synchronised springboard event and second in the men's 10m platform and 3m springboard, the 20-year-old is hopeful of a spot on the Australia team and optimistic of an Olympic medal.

"I have just come back from the World Cup in Beijing where I got seventh in the 3m synchronised springboard event, then a couple of weeks later I got second at the Chinese Grand Prix."

Scott competes in the synchronised event with his dive partner Robert Newbury.

"I have been diving with Robert for the past six months. I am looking forward to competing with him in Beijing because he has already won back to back bronze medals in that event at the last two Olympics."

Scott said competing at the Olympic venue had been amazing: "We were the first competitors to basically use the Olympic venue since its construction and it was great," he said.

If successful in the Australian team selection, Scott will compete in the springboard events only after a wrist injury forced him out of the 10m platform competition.

"My preparation hasn't been perfect but I've been doing well in these latest competitions so I'm confident," he said.

Scott said his signature dive was the reverse twist, a dive which involved starting off forward facing but rotating backwards two-and-a-half times while incorporating a one-and-a-half twist.

"I am quite confident about making it into the Australian team and I think I can win a place on the winner's podium at the Olympics," he said.

"I think if you believe in it, it is possible."

At 17 Scott was handpicked by the Australian Institute of Sport and is now based at the institute's diving capital, the Chandler Aquatic Centre and his list of diving accolades is extensive.

"I was named in the 2008 Diving Australia National Squad, and for the second time in succession named Male Diver of the Year for 2007-2008."

Scott is part of QUT's elite athlete program which offers flexible university options allowing athletes to pursue their sport and study.