RIO DE JANERIO, Brazil – Canadian divers Jennifer Abel and Pamela Ware opened the Rio Olympics with a gut-wrenching result in the women’s three-metre synchronized event.
The duo finished fourth, less than one point behind bronze medallists Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith of Australia.
Abel, from Laval Que., and Ware of Greefield Park, Que., were the silver medallists at last year’s world championship.
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Abel also captured bronze in the event at the London Games four years ago with the now-retired Emilie Heymans.
Chinese pair Shi Tingmao and Wu Minxia won the gold with a score of 345.60 while Italians Tania Cagnotto and Frencesca Dallape were second with 313.83 and the Aussies scored 299.19. Abel and Ware finished with 298.32.
As the scores were posted on the board, Abel dunked her head under the water while Ware bowed hers in disappointment.
The two still have a chance for a medal in the individual springboard next week.
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The duo is half of the “Fab IV” on Canada’s diving team. Abel, Ware, Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito all have medal potential in Rio.
“Fab” is an acronym – F for Filion, A for Abel, B for Benfeito, and the Roman numeral IV is a stylized W for Ware.
Filion and Benfeito compete on the 10-metre tower.
The competition is being held outdoors for the first time since the 1992 Barcelona Games.
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