Written by: Zhou Xin, World Aquatics
Correspondent
No one would expect to have such a
reunion as Marie-Eve Marleau from Canada and Li Na from China met in the World
Aquatics Diving World Cup in the same city Xi'an, 23 years after their last
time competed with each other in the Women's 10m Platform.
Diving ties them together one more
time, and even closer to each other, on the pool deck.
The Story from Marie-Eve Marleau's
Perspective
A two-time Pan American Games
champion for Canada, Marleau now works as the Sports Manager of Diving and High
Diving for World Aquatics.
"I feel quite privileged to be
back in Xi'an after 23 years. I remember of course visiting the Terra Cotta
Army but mostly, I was so impressed with the Chinese divers. As a young
Canadian diver, the Diving Grand Prix Xi'an 2000 was my first international
competition. Being the best nation in the world in my sport, it was quite
intimidating to be around these star divers
"As a young Canadian diver, the
Diving Grand Prix Xi'an 2000 was my first international competition. Being the
best nation in the world in my sport, it was quite intimidating to be around
these star divers."
By Marie-Eve Marleau recalling
competing in Xi'an 23 years ago
"At the time, communication with
the Chinese team was difficult as well because of the language barrier. We were
able to exchange a few smiles here and there and by the end of my time in
China, I felt quite comfortable," Marleau added. "Little that I knew,
this was the start of a long-term relationship."
Fast forward to 23 years later and
Marleau is now working for World Aquatics and on a plane from Beijing to Xi'an.
After more than 20 hours of travel and lack of sleep, the landing had started
on the grounds in Xi'an.
"Surprisingly enough, I had this
feeling of being at home somehow. I got up to exit the plane and I heard my
name. 'Marie-Eve, Marie-Eve. Hi, this is Li Na.'
"Li Na was the one who dove
during my time. Much better than me, such a graceful athlete," Marleau
recalled. "She told me that I had not changed after all these years. I had
to look up at results to remember what happened in 2000. Li Na was 3rd, I was
13th. We went on to talk and talk more.
"We have been hanging out on the
pool deck, had a traditional dinner in the old town and a walk around,"
Marleau added. "I am so amazed by our relationship. Her English is now
perfect. We can exchange words, and catch up on our lives and all that we have
been going through since our retirements (in 2005 for both Marleau and Li). But
her smile remains the same – and I am thankful for it.
"This is what sport is all
about. Who you meet along the way, the relationships that transcend results on
the field of play. The stories being told."
The Story from Li Na's Eyes
A gold and silver medallist from the
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Li Na is now the Vice-Dean of the Chinese College of
Swimming Sports at the Beijing Sports University.
"I am so glad to see Marie-Eve
again after so many years," Li Na said.
I have never expected to meet her on the same flight, same city
destination Xi'an for the same mission: working for the Diving World Cup.
Diving is the common language that we used to be rivals competing with each
other on the platform and now work together on the pool deck."
With Marleau managing the sports of
diving and high diving in World Aquatic, Li Na was at the Xi'an event as a
member of the World Aquatics Diving Technical Committee and working as a
referee for the World Cup.
"Diving is the common language
that we used to be rivals competing with each other on the platform and now
work together on the pool deck."
By Li Na
"I remembered Marie-Eve and many
other divers when I was a diver, but I couldn't speak English and communicate
with them during international events," Li Na recalled. "Fortunately,
I was invited by the British Olympic Committee for a two-year study at the
University of Leeds from 2010 to 2012. It is like a feeling that I open a new
angle of life and feel free to talk with diving friends all over the world
since then. I enjoyed the spare time together Marie-Eve, walking around
downtown and sharing our experience in work and life.
"I believe that diving is my
genes and my life. I would like to offer my efforts to make our sport more
popular in the world."
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