Cynthia Potter (US) blew her first dive in the 3m springboard event and then worked her way back, round-by-round, until she was sitting 4th with one round to go.

She nailed her final dive and won bronze.

The next night, as I was leaving the Natatorium, I realized that Potter was walking right next to me.

We had an animated conversation about the previous night's competition, and I told her of the explosive sounds from the fans as she moved through the field, dive-by-dive.

That caught her attention! 

"We don't hear the initial burst since we're underwater," I recall her saying. She thanked me and was clearly pleased to have gained a fan's perspective of her wonderful achievement.