Dmitriy Sautin Olympics

He made his international debut in 1985 in Czechoslovakia. Known as the "Tzar of Diving" or "Sau" by his Chinese competitors, he has competed in multiple Olympic Games. His most memorable achievement is competing at the Olympics.

Injuries and Challenges

Throughout his career, he faced several injuries. In early 2003, a left knee injury disrupted his preparations for the World Championships in Barcelona. After the 1998 Goodwill Games, he underwent surgery for chronic back pain, missing several months of training and the 1999 World Cup.

At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, he competed with an injured left wrist and had surgery post-Games. In 1991, he was badly wounded in a street attack, nearly bleeding to death. Despite these challenges, he won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics.

Awards and Honours

He was named the best diver of the 20th century in Russia and the best diver of the first decade of the 21st century globally. In 1998 and 2000, he was named Russia's best athlete of the year. He received several honours including the Order of Honour in 1995, Order of Friendship in 2009, and Order of Merit for the Fatherland in 2001.

Retirement Considerations

After the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he considered retirement due to numerous injuries and surgeries. He mentioned that his health wasn't what it used to be and that his body had suffered a lot.

Personal Life

He is married to Yekaterina and they have two sons: Ivan, born in 2008, and Matvey, born on February 13, 2011. He enjoys hobbies such as football, reading, cars, music, and films. His idols include US film stars Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis.

Notable Incidents

At the 2004 Olympic Games, he struck the board during a dive in the synchronised springboard event with partner Aleksandr Dobroskok. This incident ruled out their chances for a medal as they finished seventh.

In the three-metre springboard event at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, he missed out on gold after attempting a complex dive in the final round. Leading from the start, he fell to third place after an unsuccessful last dive.

Future Plans

Post-retirement considerations include staying involved with diving through coaching or mentoring young athletes. His extensive experience and knowledge could greatly benefit upcoming divers.