An elite French diver experienced an embarrassing mishap this week during the grand opening ceremony of the highly anticipated Olympic Aquatics Center in Paris, set to host swimming, water polo, and diving events during the 2024 Summer Games. The state-of-the-art venue, with a price tag exceeding $160 million, stands as the sole permanent sports facility constructed for the upcoming games, welcoming around 5,000 spectators from across the globe.
Despite the fanfare surrounding the event, the ceremony took an unexpected turn when diver Alexis Jandard made a memorable entrance, albeit not in the way he had hoped for. Alongside fellow divers, Jandard showcased his skills by executing precise dives from the towering 10-meter board, captivating the audience that included French President Emmanuel Macron and other dignitaries.
However, as Jandard prepared for his dive from a lower board, a misstep caused him to lose his balance, resulting in a comical tumble that saw him collide with the board before plunging into the pool, much to the amusement of onlookers.
The 26-year-old athlete handled the mishap with grace, using humor to address his fall on social media. He even shared a photo of the scratches on his back, expressing gratitude for the support he received.
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"For your information, my back is fine, but my ego..." he quipped.
Jandard has appeared on various French television shows, sharing that he is happy his unfortunate incident brought some joy to people. He is determined to make a comeback on the 3-meter board at the Summer Games, aiming to transform a challenging start into a triumphant gold medal finish.
The Olympics will commence in the French capital on July 26 and conclude on August 11.
