Chinese diver denies ‘secret’ claim

A Chinese diver last night denied reports she was deliberately left in the dark over illnesses and deaths in her family for eight years to ensure she remained focused on her quest for Olympic medals.

Three-metre springboard world champion Wu Minxia’s bid to become the most decorated Olympic diver in history has been overshadowed after reports in China claimed her mother’s long battle with cancer was kept from her.

A report in the Shanghai Morning Post said the 26-year-old diver’s father, Wu Jueming, claimed she had not been told about the death of her grandmother.

But after qualifying for the semi-final of the three-metre springboard, in first place, Wu said she had known of her mother’s illness for “a long time”.

“My mother is recovering well now after being sick,” she said. “I have know for a long time about this. It is not something new.”