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."
Share Tools
Latest Montreal News Headlines
- Speaker denies CAQ party status
- The speaker of the Quebec national assembly has ruled that the new Coalition Avenir Québec does not qualify for official party status. more »
- Trudeau says sovereignty less of a bogeyman now
- Justin Trudeau says sovereignty is less of a bogeyman than it once was as he defends himself against accusations he's sympathetic to the desire to leave Canada. more »
- Quebec students strike over tuition fees
- The Quebec government will is coming under more pressure from the province's students. more »
- Sweet Isabelle's sexy cookies a St. Valentine's hit
- A Montreal bakery has just the Valentine's Day gift for the romantic partner who has everything: erotic cookies, that come in all shapes, sizes – and sexual positions. more »
Top News Headlines
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana. more »
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews
- A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Côte-St-Luc passes anti-smoking bylaw
- CAQ not recognized as official party
- More power out on Magdalen Islands
- Crews tackle Magdalen Islands power outage
- Quebec students strike over tuition fees
- Advice follows drowning death of baby
- Pat Martin condemns asbestos backers to face justice in hell
- Sweet Isabelle's sexy cookies a St. Valentine's hit
- Quebec asbestos industry mulls European convictions

