Diving Olympic champ Tian gets excited once in Athens

Diving Olympic champion Tian Liang said he suddenly came into high spirit once he set foot on the soil of Athens.

"When I got off the plane, I began to feel differently," said the Sydney Olympic gold medalist. "After a close training for six weeks at home, I have got a different feeling once I am here, that is, excitement."

Arriving here Sunday for the Aug.13-29 Olympic Games, Tian will spearhead a star-studded line-up which is expected to bring as many as four out of eight gold medals on offer in the diving event for the Chinese delegation.

"My training was good and I am confident," the 24-year-old said.

It is the second time Tian came here this year after he won both the individual and synchronized titles in the men's platform at the World Cup in February.

"Last time I came here, everywhere was white because it snowed then but now it is hot, which is the difference between my two trips here," said Tian. "But I hope that one thing remains the same -- results of the competition."

"When I am in the Athens Olympic Games, I will be standing on the same board, competing with the same opponents as in the World Cup. And I believe the final result will tell no difference," added Tian.

Tian will compete in the synchronized event with his World Cup winning partner Yang Jinghui on Saturday, the opening day of the diving competition before he starts his defending campaign for the individual title on Aug. 27 in the preliminaries and the final will be on Aug. 28.