Olympic Games diver reveals mother’s mystery injury on the day she arrived in Paris to watch him compete

Kurtis Mathews says he is ‘stoked’ about his 10th place finish in the men’s 3m springboard final at the Olympic Games after a whirlwind trip to Paris.

Mathews (383.40 points) was good in the air but struggled with his entries, finishing 10th behind runaway Chinese duo Xie Siyi (543.60) and Wang Zongyuan (530.20).

Mexican Osmar Olvera Ibarra (500.40) also cracked the 500-point barrier and was 70 points clear of fourth.

China, chasing an unprecedented sweep of all eight diving gold, have won the six on offer so far in Paris, while also claiming the gold-silver double twice.

After the final came to an end, Mathews was in good spirits despite finishing way down in the standings.

He thanked his family and friends for their support, before revealing that his mother suffered an unfortunate injury on her first day in France. 

‘My mum actually broke her arm the first day she arrived here in Paris and had to have surgery so she’s been an absolute solider just being here,’ he told Nine.

He did not reveal how she suffered the injury, but reflected that he has loved every moment of the Paris Games. 

The Aussie revealed that his mother broke her arm when she arrived in Paris

‘It’s very special,’ he said.

Mathews has not made a definitive decision on his future, but said he is eager to compete in Los Angeles in 2028.

‘I would love to do another Olympics,’ he said.

Elsewhere, Maddison Keeney believes she can challenge China’s dominance on the diving boards. 

Nailing her final three dives after a slow start to the semi finals of the women’s individual 3m springboard, Keeney (334.70 points) was a clear second but still well behind Chinese standout Chen Yiwen (360.85). 

‘I know my potential is there,’ she said.

‘It’s all about how you perform on the day and how everyone else performs on the day. I just focus on myself.

‘My first dive was a bit shaky. My last dive was good. There’s nothing super outstanding but there are things in there that I’m proud of, technique-wise, under pressure.’