IU senior Christina Loukas boarded a plane for Beijing this morning. The 22-year old diver from Indiana University is off to the Olympics. After winning the 3-meter springboard event at the June 21 Olympic trials, Loukas automatically qualified to as a member of the twelve member U.S. team.
Christina Loukas, a three-time Big Ten Diver of the Year, will compete for the U.S. at the Olympics in Beijing this summer.
"Qualifying for the games was very stressful. I knew that I had to win trials to automatically make it," Loukas said. "I prepared mentally by visualizing myself performing well in that situation and practiced relaxation exercises. After I qualified I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Now I feel confident and can prepare myself for Beijing."
Loukas has been preparing for this level of competition for a long time. She was a gymnast for nearly ten years before she started diving at the age of twelve. She won three Illinois high school state diving titles before coming to Indiana University.
Under the guidance of IU coach Jeff Huber, Loukas has taken her performance to a new level. Huber, a three-time Olympic coach, has pushed Loukas in the past four years.
"I practice Mon-Fri from 9-11 and then 2-4 and Saturday 9-11," Loukas said. "I do cardio and weights on top of that at least 3 times a week."
While it's been hard work, Loukas has noticed the payoff.
"I definitely think IU has prepared me well," she said. "With the great coaching and facilities I have been able to become a top diver in the US. If I hadn't come here I don't think I would have made the Olympic team."
As the top American qualifier, Loukas is in good position in the overall picture. Her toughest competition, though, will be from the host country.
"China has been the dominate country in diving. But they are not unbeatable," she said. "I do all the same dives they do, so I have the potential to compete with them for a medal."
Loukas has been to Beijing before. In February, she competed there in the diving World Cup. But even competing so far away, Loukas knows she has support.
"My family and friends have always been supportive since high school, so that hasn't changed," she said.
If she does need a familiar face, there are six other athletes with IU ties competing in Beijing that Loukas could meet up with, though she said she only knows two of them.
Loukas' first day of competition comes on Thursday, Aug. 15, when the diving prelims begin. Keep checking IUplanet for more Hoosier Olympic updates.
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