Despatie wins silver in comeback performance
Last Updated: Friday, May 29, 2009 | 8:18 PM ET
The Canadian Press
Alexandre Despatie, seen at the Beijing Olympics, is back competing. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)Two-time Olympic medallist Alexandre Despatie of Laval, Que., competed for the first time in nearly 10 months and won the silver medal on men's three-metre on Friday at a FINA Grand Prix diving competition in Madrid.
Sisters Carol-Ann and Pamela Ware of Ottenburn Park, Que., added another silver in women's 10-metre synchro.
In the men's three-metre event, Shixin Li of China won the gold medal with 504.50 points followed by Despatie in second at 473.10 and Javier Illana of Spain in third at 446.80.
Francois Imbeau-Dulac of St-Lazare, Que., was fifth in his semifinal heat and placed eighth overall.
Despatie had not competed since the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing in order to heal from back and knee injuries which have plagued him the last couple of years.
"Considering the circumstances, I'm pleased with my performance today," said Despatie, who earned 9.0s on his opening two dives in the final and at least 8.0s on his other four. "I had a solid three weeks of training leading up to this event. But it was obvious that I lack some training right now. This gives me a base to work from."
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