ANCIENT ORIGINS

SYNCHRONICITY TAKES THE PLUNGE

Historians believe that diving dates back to the ancient Games of Greece. A 2,500-year-old tomb in Naples shows a man diving from a platform, possibly a cliff or rock.

High diving off cliffs, as made famous by those who leapt from great heights into the sea of Acapulco, predates the sport of diving that developed in the 17th century, when gymnasts in Sweden and Germany practised over water at the beach for safety, attracting large crowds. Eventually, such gymnastic training developed into what was known as "fancy diving", a term still used when the sport came to the Olympic Games in 1904 in the form of a plunge and swim under water.

In Britain in the 17th century, diving competitions were held in which rivals plunged into ponds and rivers, a dangerous pastime for man and duck. When diving reached the Olympic Games in 1908, it began as a graceful addition to the programme, points being awarded for elegance and style.

Then, between Paris in 1924, when it adopted its "modern" format, and Atlanta in 1996, diving stayed true to its tradition. No longer; here comes synchronised diving, and Britain is among the nations that could capitalise from the introduction of diving's sole innovation in 76 years.

The traditional programme, of 10 metre highboard and 3 metre springboard will remain, but, for the first time in Sydney, there will also be pairs diving in both heights, with synchronisation a key element of judging and scoring.

Highboard, or platform, divers are among the bravest competitors at the Games; their leap from the 10-metre board generates enough energy to ensure they hit the water at 55mph, painful if you get your dive wrong. Just how dangerous it can be was demonstrated at Seoul in 1988, when Greg Louganis, of the US, cracked his head on the springboard during one of his dives, turning the pool blood red on impact with the water. He had stitches and went on to become Olympic champion in the highboard and springboard.