Waterfield: I thought my Games were over

Commonwealth diving champion Peter Waterfield felt his world “had fallen apart” when he sustained a freak injury in the run-up to the Olympics – while doing ballet.

Waterfield, who uses ballet to improve his balance for platform diving, thought his dreams of winning a medal in Athens were over when he fell badly on his ankle just weeks away from the Games.

“I was doing ballet, standing on my toes and went over on my ankle. I thought my Games were over and I just couldn’t see past the injury,” he said.

“I was really frustrated. I couldn’t even walk. I was sure I’d broken it. It hurt so much but the pain of the disappointment was far bigger than the injury.”

Fortunately for Waterfield and synchro partner Leon Taylor, who came close to winning Britain’s first diving medals in 40 years when they finished fourth in the 10-metre platform event in 2000, an x-ray revealed ligament and cartilage damage – but no fracture.

“I thought my world had fallen apart but I went along to the hospital anyway. I found out it wasn’t broken and it was like a breath of fresh air,” Waterfield added.

“Coming fourth in Sydney, we were absolutely gutted. I wanted more than anything to make up for it and there was a good chance of recovery in time for the Olympics.”

So determined was Waterfield to get back to full fitness that he left his home in Southampton to stay with Taylor in Sheffield where he could receive intensive treatment at the English Institute of Sport.

“I’m really happy now. I feel better than I did before because the break from diving has given me a good rest,” he said.

“It’s not ideal because we’ve not been able to train together so much but myself and Leon had really been putting the work in prior to that. We’ve been together more since Sydney and we’re better prepared than we’ve ever been.”

Waterfield won England’s first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, with Taylor taking silver, and the pair could be the first to strike gold for Britain with the diving finals taking place on Saturday evening.

“Since the Commonwealth Games I’ve found it hard,” Waterfield said. “There was such a comedown and I think I was trying too hard. I’ve started to relax more and enjoy it and the Olympics have changed everything.

“Chasing a medal is what it’s all been about. Manchester has driven us both on for success and we want it more than ever now.

“We’re in with a good shot. It’s all on the day and anything can happen but we’ll be concentrating on our own game.”