Beijing, 23 Feb - Comments from the divers after the men's 10m platform preliminaries at the National Aquatics Center.

Robert Newbery (AUS) - 6th place

On his preparation before taking off:

"I don't hesitate to take off as somebody suggested Instead, I try to collect myself and concentrate on the dives. Competing a very serious matter, so I must make all necessary preparations."

On the absence of Matthew Helm (who initially registered for this events:

"Yesterday, he suffered an ankle injury during the competition, and he had to pull out."

On his sons:

"They're too young to dive now. However, with the genes from their parents (he and his wife are both divers), they should have a predisposition Sor diving. When they grow older, I will teach them to dive. My mom is looking after them now."

Victor Minibaev (RUS) - 21st place

On his performance:

"I d dn't perform well, my only good dive was my fourth one. All my dives were chosen by my coach, they may be too hard for

On how he started to dive:

"1 started to dive at 7 and was encouraged to do so by my mother."

Sascha Klein (GER) - 4th place

On his condition (after a whole day competing in the synchronized 3m springboad):

"I foresaw the competition would be long, so I was well-prepared for it. We adjusted well and the tight competition schedule is not a problem for me."

On the high DD of his dives:

"I can perform them well. I concentrated during my trainning and practiced them a lot. The competition was just a simple evidence of my consisitent training, and was not difficult for me."

On his trademark dive (5255B, DD 3.8, which he executed 3 times in this World Cup):

"It's definitely a hard dive, integrating different kinds of techniques. Mastering it is an achievement. I have practiced this dive for around three years. I am happy that I executed it well today again."

On the Chinese team:

"China is the best in the world. I am satisified if I can give my best performace. Beating them or not is not important for me."

On his ambitions in diving:

"To attend the Olympic Games and show my best level."

On his wish in daily life:

"I hope my family and friends will be healthy."

Anton Zakharov (UKR) -15th place

On his performance:

"At the beginning it was very hard, my rivals were really strong. But then my performance was not too bad. I don't think the beginning was crucial."

On his second dive (207B, DD 3.6, scoring 48.60) and fifth dive (307C, DD 3.4, which scoring 81.60):

"I was a little anxious during the second dive, maybe from too much pressure. Then I adjusted myself better (and improved)."

On his expression of Beijing:

"This is my first time in Beijing. I think everything is quite good and beautiful, I like it very munch."

Peter Waterfield (GBR) - 7th Place

On his recent wedding:

"I got married recently and we have a 7-year-old son. I taught him to dive but he didn't like it. He prefers playing soccer."

On his performance:

"I'm happy with the result today (7th place). My entry was good."

On his expectations for the Beijing and London Olympics:

"I want to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics. I won't retire after 2008, and will compete at home in 2012."

Thomas Finchum (USA) -13th place

On his average performance:

"My performance was good, very smooth and normal. However, it was definitely not to the best of my ability, there is room for improvement."

On the coming competitions:

"I will not change my dives during the semifinals."

On his height (1.85m):

"This is not a problem for me and I have learnt to deal with it." (Being tall makes it more difficult for a diver to do twists.)

Kim Chon Man (PRK) - 8th place

On his performance:

"It was good, but not all that good."

On his experience at this level:

"This is my first time participating in an international competition. So I was a little nervous."

On his training:

"I began diving when I was 7 years old. I don't really know why I chose diving but I feel it's really a fascinating sport."

On the Finals:

"I am confident of getting into the Finals."

David Boudia (USA)

On his adjustment (USA finished sixth yesterday in men's synchronised 10m platform):

"I just put it behind me. I know things always happen when you do bad dives. We just need to get past it."

On his relationship with Thomas Finchum (his diving partner):

"He pushed me to be better."

On Thomas Finchum's performance today:

"He just has to get into the top 18. He will perform better in the finals."

On how he conquered his fear of heights:

"I underwent some mental condition such as visualising my dives in my head."

On why he chose the 10m platform when being afraid of heights:

"I think I am better from the platform than on the springboard. So I know I have to conquer my fear of heights."

Thomas Daley (GBR) - 5th place

On Why he started diving:

"I was taking swimming lessons from my Dad, when I saw people doing twists and somersaults. It seemed interesting and I discovered I had talent in diving. I feel excited everyrtime I dive."

On his idol:

"Alexandre Despatie (CAN) has always been my idol, because of his great achievements while he was very young."

On his expectation for the 2008 Olympic Games:

"It's mainly going to be for Olympic experience. If I'm lucky, maybe I can get a medal. My ultimate dream is to win a gold medal at the London Olympics."

0n the future career:

"After diving I'd like to become a TV presenter, or a film director for diving."

On the semifinals:

"I want to make the finals, so that I can be pre-selected for the Olympics."

0n how he celebrated his medal last night:

"I didn't celebrate much since I cannot go out at night being under 18 years old. I just went back to my hotel and had a good rest for today's competition."