Diving at 2024 Paris Olympics: How it works, Team USA stars, what else to know

Here's what you need to know about diving at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

When did diving become an Olympic sport?

Diving has been a part of the Olympics for more than a century. The men's competition dates to 1904. The women's competition was added in 1912.

How does Olympic diving work?

Events are contested on the high-dive platform (height of 10 meters) or the 3-meter springboard, with individual and synchronized competitions for men and women. Dives are judged for difficulty and technique. One way to often tell good from great is to notice the splash as divers enter the water. A smaller splash typically results in larger scores.

Who are the top Team USA athletes in diving?

• Delaney Schnell: She won silver in Tokyo in the 10-meter synchronized (with Jessica Parratto) and placed fifth individually. Collegiately, she won the 2023 NCAA championship on platform for the University of Arizona.

• Andrew Capobianco: A former gymnast, he was a silver medalist in Tokyo in the 3-meter synchronized (with Michael Hixon) and was a three-time NCAA champion on 3-meter, representing Indiana University.

• Carson Tyler: Only 20 years old, Tyler qualified individually in both the springboard and platform events, making him the first since 2000 to compete for Team USA in both in an Olympics.

• Jessica Parratto: A three-time Olympian and daughter of a swimming coach, she won silver in the 10-meter synchronized with partner Schnell in Tokyo. They’ll team up again in Paris.

What's the international landscape in Olympic diving?

Beginning in the 1980s and 1990s, China jumped ahead of the USA as diving's preeminent power and has continued to distance itself from other countries. In 2024, China is the world’s leader by miles, having won seven of eight gold medals during the Tokyo Games. The Chinese team will vie for a sweep in Paris.

The best Olympic diving duel in 2024 might be the women's platform between teammates Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi. Cao Yuan and Wang Zongyuan are leading Chinese stars on the men's side. Outside of the Chinese divers, Great Britain's Tom Daley won synchronized platform gold in Tokyo (the lone event not won by China) and has a widespread following as a television personality and international advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diving at 2024 Paris Olympics: How it works, what to know