Christopher Law On Being A Finalist at U.S. Olympic Diving Trails

Photo Courtesy: Christopher Law

By Erin Keaveny, Swimming World College Intern

The U.S. Olympic Diving Trials is one of the most competitive meets in USA diving. Depending on the year and event, only the first and sometimes second place finishers get to punch their tickets to the Olympic Games. Everyone is fighting for the same goal. Competition is fierce.

Diver Christopher Law, or Christo, is coming off of competing at the 2016 USA Diving Olympic Team Trials. Law came in eighth place on men’s 10-meter platform, no small feat at a meet like this.

It wasn’t Law’s first trip to Trials either. Four years ago, at only 15 years old, Law finished 11th. It’s not often you find a 19-year-old who’s competed so strongly for a spot on the Team USA, never mind one who’s done it twice. Out of the top eight finishers this year, only three of them made it to finals at the 2012 Trials: Law, and Olympians David Boudia, and Steele Johnson.

Christo recently shared his Trials experience:

“The trials meet was a little more fun than any other big competitions because I’ve known my competition for some time now. I’ve seen them throughout the years and was able to cheer for them as well as compete against them.” Still,  compared to last time he went to trials “this time around was a bit more stressful. I had more of a shot this time around and it affected my mindset. It was more competition than experience.”

Now going into his sophomore year at Ohio State University, Law also commented on how he prepares for competition. “I like to treat myself and get comfortable. Go get ice cream or junk food. Anything to help me get in a good mood. I pump myself up before the meet a lot by listening to music. People like Panic! At the Disco and Fall Out Boy get me excited before meets.”

His biggest motivators are the people who have been there for him all along. “My dad drives me and I try my best to make him proud and I’m a huge momma’s boy. To see her crying tears of joy at the end of every competition makes me want to go further.”

When I asked if there was anything else he wanted to say, he said “I really just want to thank the people who have supported and watched me dive since I was a little kid. I think it’s awesome that some of these people actually keep up with it and I’m really grateful for it.”

Law remains humble, yet passionately driven. When others may have given up, he continues fighting for his dream. “I will be back for Tokyo, and I will try my best to get there.”

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