Div: Greece wins first gold of Games

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2004
Div: Greece wins first gold of Games

By Andrew Gray

ATHENS, Aug 16 Reuters - Hosts Greece grabbed their first gold medal of the Athens
Olympics today when Nikolaos Siranidis and Thomas Bimis won the men's three-metre synchronised
diving after the Chinese pair suffered a no-dive.

The Greek duo were lying fourth going into the springboard final round when leaders
Bo Peng and Kenan Wang from China failed to execute their final dive properly and the
judges declared a no-dive, awarding no points.

American duo Justin and Troy Dumais, second after the penultimate fourth round, also
failed to shine and the Greeks pulled off an excellent dive to move ahead of Australians
Robert Newberry and Steven Barnett who ended up third.

A good final effort from Andreas Wels and Tobias Schellenberg of Germany gave them the silver.

The crowd at the indoor pool erupted and the home divers danced around the pool to
traditional Greek music played over the public address system after their shock win. The
divers and their coach ended up in the pool during the celebrations.

The gold was particularly welcome news for Greeks depressed by a protracted scandal
surrounding their top two sprinters who missed doping tests.

"The crowd helped. That was our 'doping'," Siranidis said. "I hope the stadium is always
full now when there are diving events."

Bimis said it was time to let the inquiry into the sprinters take its course and concentrate
on events in the sports arena.

"I'd like to remind you that the Olympic Games is not only about athletics and football.

There are about 30 sports," he told reporters.

"We do our bit and I hope that in this way we are going to open the way for more medals
for Greeks."

Reuters mo


KEYWORD: OLY DIV GREECE

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