'Diving Czar' Sautin not to retire until 2004 Olympics

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 09, 2003

'Diving Czar' Sautin not to retire until 2004 Olympics

Olympic Champion Dmitry Sautin said on Monday that he would not consider retirement until the 2004 Athens Olympic Games concludes.

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Olympic Champion Dmitry Sautin said on Monday that he would not consider retirement until the 2004 Athens Olympic Games concludes.

"I am not considering stopping my diving career now." said the Russian who claimed 10-meter platform title at the 1998 Atlanta Olympics, "I want to take part in the Olympic Games in Athens next year."

Sautin, teamed up with Baibakov Dmitri, finished second place on Monday's synchronized 3-meter springboard on 339.21 points at the third World Military Games, defeated by Chinese pair Peng Bo and Liu Junhong on 343.92.

"We made mistakes in our dives." said the 28-year-old Sautin, "We didn't show our best performance during the competition. The Chinese young pair did a very good job to beat us."

"Although the Military Games is not a top-level competitions yet, I didn't give it up, I was just not in good condition."

Sautin captured both 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform titles at the 1997 World Championships, but was beaten by Xiong Niof China at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the men's 3-meter springboard.

"My next goal will be the Olympic Games." said Sautin, "I wish I could finish it with a gold. Then I will begin to consider retirement."

The host Italian pair Marconi Nicola and Marconi Tommaso won the bronze on 311.10.

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