Jordan Houlden went out ‘all guns blazing’ as he secured an admirable fifth-place finish in the men’s 3m springboard final.
In a bumper day of diving action for Brits, Houlden and Jack Laugher went for medals at the Aquatics Centre, hoping to add to Team GB’s already impressive haul from Paris 2024.
Doing himself proud on his Olympic debut, Houlden emerged as a surprise package and remained in contention for hardware throughout the contest.
And while he eventually missed out on a place on the podium, coming fifth with a score of 427.75, he could not have been prouder of his performance as he left the Parisian pool for the final time.
“It was a great achievement to finish fifth and to make it to the final,” Houlden said. “That was my main aim, make it to the final and I did it.
“I came in here guns blazing. I got a little bit nervous, nerves kicked in and I got fidgety. I did alright with the nerves I had.
“I know I can do a lot better - there’s some dives that could have been sharper, a lot better, but I’m still very happy with fifth. Fifth at the Olympics, it’s not too bad.
“It’s been a tough ride, for me and for all British divers. There's so many of us that can be in my position and that I can do what I do and to be picked in the top two is phenomenal.
Laugher, who secured bronze in the men’s 3m synchronised event alongside Anthony Harding earlier in the Games, placed in seventh in Thursday’s final.
Team GB will also have strong representation in the women’s 3m springboard final after Grace Reid and Yasmin Harper both secured qualification through the semi-finals.
Advancing to the final 👉
— Team GB (@TeamGB) August 8, 2024
Grace Reid (7th) and Yasmin Harper (12th) have both qualified for tomorrow's 3m springboard final!#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/lbtGGbs9FZ
Reid safely guaranteed her shot at a medal, placing seventh with a score of 290.05, while synchro bronze medallist Harper clawed her way into tomorrow’s final, claiming the 12th and final qualification spot.
With dreams of winning an inaugural medal in her third Olympic appearance, Reid has emphasised putting her mental health first, with success in the pool reliant on her wellbeing away from it.
“I’ve realised that when I step out of this pool, I am more importantly Grace the person, and she needs to be taken care of,” she said.
“When I’m feeling confident in myself and when I take care of Grace, I dive well. I’ve learned that’s something I need to monitor and take care of.
“I didn’t realise how much I needed those social connections. For me, just being able to give my mum a hug, see my friends and family for a diet coke – it sounds so simple but it’s something that gives me so much value and helps me recharge emotionally.
“When you’re going into a battlefield and it’s really pressurised, if you’re feeling emotionally chilled out and replenished, that’s only going to help the performance.
“I’ll have a very quiet evening – I’ve got another ice bath booked – I’ll relax, refresh, refuel, rest and go out and get a coffee with my family and boyfriend to actually be a human being for a little bit and decompress.”
Reid and Harper will be in final action at the Aquatics Centre at 2pm BST on Friday afternoon.
Sportsbeat 2024