Viewpoint

Alexandre Despatie

Diving is Life

Alexandre Despatie is the biggest name in Canadian diving, and the first diver in history to be world champion in all three diving events. We conducted this interview with the 2006 Commonwealth Games only days away.

Q: What is the current status of diving in Canada?

A: It’s doing very well. Over the past few years, Canada has become a more significant presence on the world stage. I would say we are now third in the world, if not second.

Q: Will Canada be in first place one day?

A: There’s always room for improvement, but we would need to have more athletes who can win medals in international competitions to beat the Chinese. We’re getting there. There are many young athletes who are learning to compete at that level, but it takes time and experience.

Q: What kind of satisfaction do you get from diving?

A: It’s a form of self-expression for me, a way of pushing my limits, of excelling. I set myself goals in diving and I go after them.

Q: Do you intend to continue diving for many more years?

A: For sure I will continue until 2008; after that, it depends.

Q: Would your life be as interesting if you weren’t a diver?

A: If I didn’t dive, I would do something else I could excel at. That’s just how I am: I’m a perfectionist. When I do something, I never do it by half measures.

Q: How do you deal with the pressure of being the crowd favourite?

A: I focus on what I have to do. I know what the crowd wants, but when I’m competing, I have to concentrate on the dives and put everything else out of my mind.

Q: Is it hard to be constantly in the media and public eye?

A: It’s not that hard, it’s just something you have to get used to. I’ve grown up with that kind of attention, so I’m learning how to deal with it, and I’m sure I’ll continue to learn. What people gave me this summer (during the 2005 World Championships in Montréal) was absolutely incredible. The least I can give them in return is my thanks when they want to shake my hand.

Q: Did you think you would perform that well at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships in Montréal?

A: No. In fact, my performance was stronger than it has ever been; my results surprised even me. I knew at the beginning of the Championships that I would dive well, but I wasn’t expecting to do as well as I did.

Q: Did you find it motivating to dive in front of your family, in your own hometown?

A: Of course it helped. For the first two or three 3-metre dives, I wasn’t sure what to expect, or how the crowd would react. But it ended up being a really positive and motivating experience.

Q: Do you think young people look up to you?

A: That’s certainly what people say. And I think I have something to say to them. I try and promote physical activity, sports. There’s a lot of talk about young people being obese. I have got so much out of sports that, I think, the least I can do is tell them that it’s worth it. You’ve got to have dreams, you’ve got to believe in them, and work as hard as you can to fulfill them – and still remember to have fun, of course!

Q: Have any young people said that you are an inspiration to them?

A: After the World Championships, a number of people thanked me for how I made them feel and that was a big shock for me. It was the first time that had happened to me, and I was very touched to find out that my performance helped motivate people to excel in their own field.

Q: What do you want to achieve at the 2006 Commonwealth Games?

A: I am going to train very hard. My goal is to dive as best as I can.

Q: Will we see you on the 10-metre platform again?

A: Yes, I’m going to be up there. I’m very excited to get back to it; I can’t wait.

Q: What will the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing mean for you?

A: They will be my third Olympic Games, and I will use what I learned from the first two. As usual, the Chinese will be our strongest competitor. They will be ready for us, and I will have to train even harder: be in my best possible form.

Q: Is Canada capable of producing another Alexandre Despatie?

A: There are so many factors that influence the level an athlete can reach. Of course he needs talent, but it also takes a lot of work, a good trainer, and a supportive environment.

Q: Do you have to make a lot of sacrifices to compete at the Olympic level?

A: Oh yes, a lot of sacrifices. The biggest sacrifice, for me, is that swimming prevents me from spending time with my friends. That’s really hard for me because I love my friends, and my family, too. As for the rest – the traveling, daily training, competitions – I’m doing what I love, so it’s not a problem.

Q: Is the support of his or her parents important for a young person who wants to compete, no matter what the sport?

A: Yes, it’s vital because parents are the ones who drive you around before you’re old enough to own a car or get around on your own. They are also the ones who pay, at least initially, and who encourage you when things aren’t going so well. But parents shouldn’t push their children; they should encourage them and be positive with them.

Q: Do you think that Canadian athletes receive the financial support they need to excel?

A: Compared to some countries, we are very lucky; compared to others, we are less so. I’m one of the lucky ones: I have a sponsor who helps me a lot. But, on behalf of other athletes, I have to say there is room for improvement.

Interview conducted in September 2005

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