Athletes > Guo Jingjing > Bio

Springboard domination
Since earning two silvers in Sydney on springboard and synchro springboard, Guo Jingjing is undefeated in major competition. She won both events at Worlds in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007, as well as winning double gold in Athens. When Fu Mingxia, her synchro partner in 2000, retired, she began competing with Wu Minxia. Wu took silver behind Guo in Athens. Guo is expected to defend both of her Olympic titles in Beijing, which would maintain China's streak of springboard golds that started in 1988. Guo's coach, Zhou Jihong, won China's first diving gold in 1984 on the 10m platform.

Dealing with fame
Diving is one of the most popular sports in China, and Guo's success has made her one of the country's most famous athletes. She drew criticism after Athens for spending too much time on commercial interests and sponsors, with fans worried her diving would suffer as a result. Guo seems indifferent about her fame, at times complaining about the excessive attention on her. She plans to retire after Beijing. 

Eye issue
When she's not competing, Guo wears glasses for nearsightedness. After Sydney, she had surgery to repair a detached retina in her right eye, but spent only a few months out of the water. The condition is not uncommon among divers, given the impact they frequently face when hitting the water.

Tabloid news
Guo's personal life has also been a popular tabloid topic. She made headlines when she began dating Kenneth Fok, the grandson of a Hong Kong business tycoon, and they are often photographed together. Guo was formerly linked to diver Tian Liang, who also won gold in Athens. Dubbed "the diving prince and princess" after the Olympics, the two were constantly followed by paparazzi.

Platform switch
Guo Jingjing made her Olympic debut in 1996 as a 14-year old and placed fifth in the 10m platform. Like many Chinese divers, Guo switched to the springboard from platform as her body matured. She gained more than 20 pounds after the Atlanta Games and said she began to have difficulty ripping her entries off the platform. Shortly after making the switch, she took a silver medal in the springboard at the 1998 World Championships.

Picked out of the crowd
Guo began diving at age 7 under coach Yu Fen, who gained prominence as Fu's coach. Yu said he knew at first sight that Guo would be a good diver -- future he picked her out during a routine trip to an elementary school to pick out athletes. Yu retired after the Atlanta Games, and though he has since returned to coaching, Guo is coached by Zhou Jihong, who won China's first women's diving gold in 1984 in 10m platform.