In perfect synch

By Emily Sadler, CTYOlympics.ca Staff

Ten years and three Olympic medals separate Canadian 3m synchronized diving partners Émilie Heymans and Jennifer Abel. But when they are standing on the diving board, poised and ready to compete, you would never guess it.

The duo has seen plenty of success over the past two seasons, earning multiple podium finishes and securing a spot for Canada in the 3m synchro event at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

While the pair shares a common goal of earning Canada's first ever synchronized diving gold, each athlete has blazed her own trail to London 2012.

Three-time Olympic medallist Émilie Heymans of St-Lambert, Que., is Canada's most decorated female diver. The soon-to-be 30-year-old has long competed in 10m and 10m synchro. In fact, all three of her Olympic medals come from 10m events: two silver medals (10m synchro at Sydney 2000 and 10m platform at Beijing 2008) and one bronze (10m synchro at Athens 2004).

Following Beijing 2008, Heymans made a bold move, choosing to focus on her 3m springboard events.

A new challenge, explained Heymans, is just what she needed to stay focused and motivated in her career.

"I think the challenge, moving back to 3m, made a big difference," she said. "I don't think I would be as motivated on 10m because (3m) is a new challenge everyday… so it really keeps me motivated because I can always do better."

While the diving platform may be lower, the stakes certainly are not. A medal at London 2012 would make Heymans the first female diver - as well as Canada's first summer athlete - to win medals at four consecutive Olympic Games.

For 20-year-old Jennifer Abel of Laval, Que., who made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2008 at just 16 years of age, London 2012 represents her first real shot at Olympic hardware.

"I was going (to Beijing) for getting the experience," explained Abel. She placed 13th in the 3m Springboard event at Beijing 2008.

Canada hasn't topped an Olympic diving podium since Sylvie Bernier won the nation's first and only gold medal in the 3m springboard at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

In addition to teaming up in the synchro event, both Heymans and Abel will be competing individually in the 3m Springboard event, giving Canadians even higher hopes of hearing their anthem on the world stage.

Now that Abel has experienced the atmosphere of the Games, she is ready to rise to the challenge of seeking the podium with Heymans in London.

"I know what I have to do," said Abel. "I know what it's going to look like. So I just need to go there to perform and do my best."

And who better to learn from and train with than Canada's veteran diver.

"Émilie has so many experiences. Even if they are good or bad, she knows how to deal with them," explained Abel.

But diving isn't just about career experience; Abel and Heymans have learned to complement each other and in doing so, may have found the perfect balance.

"It's funny, because it looks like if (Heymans) doesn't know how to deal with (something), I do," explained Abel. "So when she's starting to be nervous, I'll be like, 'Émilie, calm down; you'll be fine. We're a good team, so let's do our job.'"

In short, added Abel, "She knows how to deal with me and I know how to deal with her."

The combination of Abel's developing natural talent and level-headed attitude with Heyman's wealth of experience (and the hardware to back it up) could well be Canada's golden formula in the pool at London 2012.