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Why is water sprayed onto the Olympic pool during high diving? Safety measure, explained

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Why is water sprayed onto the Olympic pool during high diving? Safety measure, explained

One of the unique aspects of the Olympic Games is that the greatest spectacle in sports has the ability to both draw fans’ attention to new events and to reveal previously unnoticed details in a competition they’ve watched for years.

With first-time sports such as breaking making their debut this year, the 2024 Paris Olympics surely won’t break away from that. But that’s unlikely to be the only sport to stir up curiosity for first-time and returning fans.

Enter the sport of diving.

2024 PARIS OLYMPICS: Follow USA TODAY’s complete coverage here

And before you ask yourself, “Really? Diving? The sport where one jumps off the diving board into the pool?” The answer is yes.

The reason is, if you pay close attention to the surface of the water as divers approach it, you will see sprinklers breaking up the surface. But why is that?

Here’s what you need to know as to why water is sprayed from a sprinkler system onto the pool during diving at the Summer Olympics:

Why is water sprayed onto the pool during diving at the Olympics?

Fans watching diving events at Paris in 2024 may notice water sprayed on the surface of Olympic pools (as can be seen from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics).

Why is that? Short answer: It’s for safety. (The long answer is also safety).

As displayed in this video from Red Bull Diving on YouTube, water is sprayed onto the pool to help break the surface tension for a diver as they make their way down from the diving board. This helps the diver see the water better as they come down, which can be as fast as anywhere up to 60 mph.

It’s also a requirement by the World Aquatics, formerly known as Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA). As the governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it oversees all aquatic water sports for both Olympic and international diving competition to ensure the safety of athletes as they dive into the pool and prevent injuries.

As stated by Rule 3.1.3.10 of the facilities guidelines:

“Mechanical surface agitation shall be installed under the diving facilities to aid the divers in their visual perception of the surface of the water. In pools equipped with an underwater bubble machine, the machine shall only be used for the purpose if it creates sufficient water agitation when working with a very low pressure; otherwise a horizontal water sprinkler system shall only be used.”

If it wasn’t for the sprinkler system, the visibility of the layer of the water surface becomes more difficult to see. Moreover, if it wasn’t for the pressure of the water from the sprinkler system disturbing the water, it would be like a sheet of glass — which could lead to an injury for that diver. This also helps the diver pick up their reflection and know when to kick out on their dive down.

2024 Paris Olympics diving schedule

All times Eastern

Saturday, July 27

  • Women’s Synchronized 3m Springboard Final | 5 a.m. | NBC (Fubo), Peacock

Monday, July 29

  • Men’s Synchronized 10m Platform Final | 5 a.m. | E! (Fubo) | Peacock
  • Men’s 10m Platform Final | 10:45 a.m. | NBC (Encore Coverage, Fubo), Peacock

Wednesday, July 31

  • Women’s Synchronized 10m Platform Final | 5 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock

Friday, Aug. 2

  • Men’s Synchronized 3m Springboard Final | 5 a.m. | Peacock

Monday, Aug. 5

  • Women’s 10m Platform Preliminary | 4 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock
  • Women’s 10m Platform Semifinal | 9 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock
  • Women’s 10m Platform Semifinal | 10:15 a.m. | NBC (Encore Coverage, Fubo), Peacock

Tuesday, Aug. 6

  • Men’s 3m Springboard Preliminary | 4 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock
  • Women’s 10m Platform Final | 9 a.m. | NBC (Fubo), Peacock

Wednesday, Aug. 7

  • Men’s 3m Springboard Semifinal | 4 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock
  • Women’s 3m Springboard Pre | 9 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock

Thursday, Aug. 8

  • Women’s 3m Springboard Semifinal | 4 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock
  • Men’s 3m Springboard Final | 9 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock
  • Women’s 3m Springboard Semifinal | 1 p.m. | NBC (Encore Coverage, Fubo), Peacock

Friday, Aug. 9

  • Men’s 10m Platform Preliminary | 4 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock
  • Women’s 3m Springboard Final | 9 a.m. | NBC (Fubo), Peacock

Saturday, Aug. 10

  • Men’s 10m Platform Semifinal | 4 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock
  • Men’s 10m Platform Final | 9 a.m. | E! (Fubo), Peacock

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