PARIS — National diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises (picture) concluded his debut at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games disappointingly today.

The 19-year-old finished 25th out of 26 participants in the men’s 10-metre platform preliminary round, scoring a total of 313.70 points at the Olympic Aquatic Centre.

This result means his Olympic campaign ended prematurely, as only the top 18 finishers after six dives advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for tomorrow.

Bertrand, who was the country’s flag bearer during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on July 26, alongside sailor Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif, is still some distance from challenging the world’s best.

In today’s round, Bertrand started decently, scoring 66.00 and 60.80 points for his inward 3½ somersaults and armstand back 3 somersaults in the first two dives, keeping him on course for a qualification spot.

However, his form dipped, and he managed only 49.50, 34.00 and 37.80 points in the next three dives, causing him to slip out of the top 18. Although he recovered somewhat with a score of 65.60 in his sixth and final dive, it was not enough to change the standings.

China’s Cao Yuan demonstrated his dominance in his bid to defend his gold medal, topping the preliminary round with 500.15 points, followed by Japan’s Rikuto Tamai (497.15) and Canada’s Rylan Wiens (485.25) to complete the top three.

China’s Cao Yuan displayed domination in the attempt to defend his gold medal, topping the preliminary round with 500.15 points, followed by Japan’s Rikuto Tamai (497.15) and Rylan Wiens of Canada (485.25) to complete the top three. — BERNAMA