3 minute read

Matthew Mitcham used his time waiting for his body to mend to strengthen his mind before the London Games.

A pain-free Matthew Mitcham believes he is developing the mental tools to handle the great expectations of his Olympic title defence in London.

The man that stopped China from sweeping the diving events at the 2008 Beijing Games has finally returned to full fitness following a string of injuries.

He is in London for this week's Olympic test event with the preliminary round for the 10m platform on Friday.

Mitcham felt he was still a few months away from being at his physical peak despite being able to do somersaults with ankle weights on in training.

He said his work with sports psychologists had opened his eyes and improved his mindset before the London Olympics, starting July 27.

"I am in such a massively different position than I was before Beijing," he said.

"The game is totally different.

"Before Beijing I did not even think I was in the running and now I am expected to defend my Olympic title.

"That feels like such a huge responsibility.

"But it is not when you have the tools to be teflon as far as that pressure goes."

Mitcham said his study of the mental side of the sport had rekindled his "passion" for diving.

"I kind of lost it when I got injured," he said.

"I had not competed for such a long time that I suppose my self-esteem had relied so much on getting all this positive feedback on such a regular basis.

"I had lost that but I have definitely got it back."

He was not too focused on his results this week at the Olympic aquatics centre.

"I am halfway (physically) to where I was in 2010 and ... I am not meant to peak in February," he said.

"I am meant to peak in July, so I have plenty of time up my sleeve, this is just about implementing those psychological tactics."

On the opening day of action at the World Cup event, Australia's Ethan Warren and Grant Nel narrowly missed out on securing the nation an Olympic berth in the 3m synchronised event.

The pair came up short by 12 points.

With Britain guaranteed a spot at the home Games, Australia (401.58) needed a top seven result but finished ninth.

China's combination of Qin Kai and Luo Yutong won the World Cup event with a total of 445.71 from Russia and Malaysia.