Olympic Update:

The old warrior showed he still has what it takes, winning his eighth Olympic medal in synchronized springboard, and finishing fourth on springboard. With the challenges of fatherhood (Dmitri has a new baby boy), he probably will retire. Don't be surprised though, if he shows up in London!

Longevity and Toughness:

Dmitri Sautin has seven Olympic medals, more than any other diver in Olympic history.

Much of his success is because he is one tough hombre. He has battled numerous injuries over his career, including chronic back problems and a stabbing in 1991 from which he almost bled to death. The only time that he probably did not enter a major competition with some sort of debilitating injury was the first time he dived in a meet! He has competed in every Olympic Games and world championships since 1992.

Springboard Only for 2008:

Yeah, Dmitri is tough, but after four Olympics, even he has acknowledged that the wear and tear of platform training and competition is too much. So for Beijing, he will only compete on springboard and synchronized springboard.

One Last Medal:

The one missing item in the Dmitri’s resume is a springboard gold medal. It is the reason that he has returned to compete in 2008. Even at the age of 34, he can still compete with the best - a silver in synchro at the 2008 FINA World Cup, bronze on springboard at the 2007 World’s, and gold at the 2008 European Championships on both will attest to that.

Three Teams, Same Result:

Dmitri has competed under three international banners, but it has never affected his performance. At his first international competition in 1991, he competed as a member of the Soviet Union earning silver on platform. At the 1992 Olympic Games, he competed as a member of the Unified Team, earning a bronze medal. From 1996 to 2004, he competed for Russia in the Olympics, earning six medals.

Dmitri’s Stats:

• Height: 5 ft. 9 in.
• Age: 34
• Birthdate: March 1, 1974
• Hometown: Voronezh, Russia
• World Championship Medals (9): 1994 Platform Gold, Three-meter Springboard Silver; 1998 Platform Gold, Three-meter Springboard Gold; 2001 Three-meter Springboard Gold, Synchronized Springboard Bronze; 2003 Synchronized Springboard Gold, Three-meter Springboard Bronze; 2007 Three-meter Springboard Bronze
• Olympic Medals (8): 1992 3M Bronze; 1996 Platform Gold; 2000 Synchronized Platform Gold, Synchronized Springboard Silver, Platform Bronze; 3M Bronze; 2004 3M Bronze; 2008 Synchronized Springboard Silver

Next:

• Medal Predictions
• Top American Divers
• Top Contender Profiles
• Olympic Diving Main Page