Back to School

Three diving legends – pictured above from left: 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá), 郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng), and 李婷 (Lǐ Tíng) – appeared at the 水立方 (Water Cube) in 北京 (Běijīng), China on March 9, 2018 cuncurrently with the start of the first leg of the FINA/China National Sport Group (CNSG) Diving World Series 2018. But no, they didn’t reunite for a last 3-m synchronized diving show. There they were to be taught how to stay young when time has passed by. And so there they were, back to school, attending the “FINA Diving Certification Course for Judges”. All photos: QQ.com.

The Story of an Hour

施廷懋 (Shī Tíngmào) being awarded “FINA Best Female Diver 2017” at the 4th FINA World Aquatics Gala “Soirée des Etoiles” held in 三亚 (Sānyà), China on December 2, 2017. Two generations of Diving Queens, 郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng) and 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá), stand next to her.

Open Ocean

Diving legends 郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng) and 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) speaking as guests of honour at the 4th FINA World Aquatics Gala “Soirée des Etoiles” held in 三亚 (Sānyà), China on December 2, 2017.

Exegi monumentum aere perennius

The bronze sculptures of 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) and 郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng) standing at 青岛 (Qīngdǎo) Olympic Park in 青岛 (Qīngdǎo), China. Photo: nipic.com.

吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) and 郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng) practicing at the 北京国家游泳中心 (National Aquatics Center), also known as the 水立方 (Water Cube), in 北京 (Běijīng), China, on August 5, 2008.

Don’t take the Goddess’ name in vain

• Associated Press in Rome, Italy suspends Rome’s 2024 Olympic bid, The Guardian, October 11, 2016

郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng) and 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) won gold in the women’s 3 metre synchronized springboard final at the 13rd FINA World Aquatics Championships in Rome, Italy on July 24, 2009.

In the Light of the Moon

子歌 (Liú Zigē), 郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng), 杨威 (Chén Ruòlín), and 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá), randomly parading, filming television ads and posing for publicity photos in 北京 (Běijīng). All photos by bbs.lady.163.com.

After Midnight

The two Diving Queens in one isle: 郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng) and 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) enjoy the after-midnight sky in 香港 (Hong Kong), after the exhibit show at Victoria Park Swimming Pool. Photo: sports.sohu.com.

The most wanted VIPs to attend the performance show of the Chinese Olympic sports delegation, such as the tycoon 李家誠 (Martin Lee Ka-shing) and his wife 徐子淇 (Cathy Chui) – above, pictured with 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) amidst them. Photo: sports.163.com.

The true surprise, however – proof that a Queendom is well worth a Kingdom – was the apparition of the “dethroned” Queen 郭晶晶 (Guō Jīngjīng) (R.) at the crowning ceremony of the new Queen 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) (L.), with 徐子淇 (Cathy Chui) happily seated amidst them. Photo: sports.163.com.