The 2024 summer Olympics are now officially underway after kicking off on Friday with a star-studded Parisian opening ceremony for the ages. While the excitement for this year’s games continues to build, there have been some unexpected revelations about what happens behind the scenes.
The past week alone has been filled with jaw-dropping scandals, criminal controversies, and groundbreaking revelations that have shocked sports fans. From the “real reason” a convicted child rapist was allowed to compete to a video of a now-axed British equestrian abusing her horse during practice, the Olympic news has been full of surprising stories.
Amidst all the drama, a former Olympian recently made a bombshell claim about the inevitable “down and dirty” encounters among athletes in the Olympic Village. And this week, a long-held fan question regarding a particular diving ritual has finally been answered – and the answer is quite intriguing.
When watching the diving competition, you may notice that immediately after plunging into the pool, athletes take a shower instead of waiting for their competitors to take the leap. It turns out there’s a good reason for this.
Health experts explain that when divers get out of the water after their turn and wait in the often cold arena, their muscles can cramp up. To prevent muscle cramping and further injury, it is recommended for divers to immediately take a shower. This keeps their muscles loose and reduces the chance of a pull or strain.
Taking a quick shower also explains why you’ll sometimes see divers taking a dip in the arena jacuzzi on the pool deck as they await their turn to dive again. By keeping their muscles warm and flexible, divers can perform at their best.
Jacob Brehmer, a US diving coach, explained during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo that the shower helps keep muscles warm when there’s a significant amount of time between dives. The air temperature on the pool deck can be chilly, and staying warm is crucial for maintaining optimal performance in the precise and fast-twitch sport of diving.
So, the next time you watch Olympic divers take a shower after their dives, know that they are taking care of their muscles to ensure they perform their best during the intense competition. It’s one of the many fascinating aspects of the Olympics that goes beyond what we see on the surface.
