Alexandre Despatie retires from the springboards and towers.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

 

I covered his first Olympic dives and his last.

In between Aleandre Despatie won three world championships and a pair of Olympic Medals.

Well done!

 

Fifteen year-old Alexandre Despatie at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, September 30, 2000. Despatie ended up finishing in fourth on the ten metre platform.

 

Alexandre Despatie watches scores of the other divers go up after his sixth and final dive at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, September 30, 2000. Despatie ended up finishing in fourth. 

Canadian and World Champion Alexandre Despatie poses for a picture after working out at a media event at the University of Toronto.

 

Alexandre Despatie at Montreal 1976 Olympic Pool. April 3, 2012.

 

Alexandre Despatie had already qualified for the Olympics and did not have to compete at the Canadian Olympic Diving Trials at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Pool. He did train on the three metre springboard, May 26, 2012.

 

Alexandre Despatie trains on the three metre springboard at the Canadian Olympic Diving Trials at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Pool.  May 26, 2012. 

 

Alexandre Despatie trains on the three metre springboard at the Canadian Olympic Diving Trials at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Pool.  May 26, 2012. 

 

Alexandre Despatie leaves the pool after training on the three metre springboard at the Canadian Olympic Diving Trials at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Pool.  May 26, 2012 

 

Alexandre Despatie resurfaces after a dive off the one metre springboard during a training session at the Aquatic Centre in London at the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Alexandre Despatie warms up in a training session at the Aquatic Centre  before the London 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Alexandre Despatie makes a simple foot first entrance into the pool in a training session at the Aquatic Centre  before the London 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Alexandre Despatie dives off the three metre springboard during a training session at the Aquatic Centre.

 

Alexandre Despatie dives, bends the board on one of six dives on the three metre springboard at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Alexandre Despatie dives, he would finish 11th on the three metre springboard, at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Alexandre Despatie enters the water on his first dive, he would finish 11th on the three metre springboard.

 

Alexandre Despatie's poor performance at the Olympic was understandable, he injured himself two months before the games when he hit his head on the springboard scalping himself.

 

A closer look at Alexandre Despatie's head and along the hair line you can see the scar from the injury, still raw in places.

 

Alexandre Despatie prepares to dive, he would finish 11th on the three metre springboard at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

 

One last picture, a we wish you well Alexandre,

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