Chinese "diving queen" Guo Jingjing won the limelight on Friday as she qualified atop the women's three-meter springboard preliminary at the Water Cube. However, she would be hounded by magic and suspense.

Although the world and Olympic champion seemed quite calm and consistent during the preliminary, it could be seen that lots of foreign divers tried hard to challenge the world No. 1.

The reigning Olympic champion in the event wasn't on the first place until the last round, and further more, the springboard specialist had fallen to the 13th place after the third round.

The person who gave Guo the biggest threat was Julia Pakhalina of Russia, winner of the 3m springboard synchro in 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, who finished the second on Friday.

The Russian was in the lead after the fourth round, however she made a splash upon the entry in the fifth and final round and was overtaken by Guo.

The 31-year-old Russian, bronze medalist of the event in Athens Olympics, made up her mind to make a good curtain call at Beijing Olympic Games. If she could maintain Friday's form in the final, she would definitely be a strong rival for Guo.

Though came to Beijing for a medal, Pakhalina respected the Chinese divers very much: "They are strong and they work hard."

Blythe Hartley of Canada, 26, winner of the 1m springboard at 2001 and 2005 World Championships, finished third in the preliminary.

"I am happy with my consistence today, and I hope I can maintain it in the future competitions," said Hartley, fifth in the event in 2004 Athens Olympics.

The diving veteran said the strong Chinese divers didn't give her any pressure. "I tend not to think about it beforehand. I respect their diving very much, I think they deserve a lot of credit," said Hartley. "They have dominated in diving for a while, but I don't focus on the dives or the Chinese divers, I just concentrate on my dives."

"Guo Jingjing is a very good diver, and I respect her in this aspect," added the Canadian.

Like the Canadian, all the competitors see the Chinese as clear favorite, but they will not be affected by it.

"Chinese divers are great," said Chantelle Newbery of Australia, winner of the 10m platform at 2004 Athens Olympics. "They are always great and very respectful. I enjoy competing with them."

"I have competed with them for 15 years," added the Aussie, who finished 15th in the preliminary. "I am used to it. It will not give me too much pressure. I am looking forward to the semi-final."

Another Aussie, Sharleen Stratton, currently ranked No. 2 of the event in the world, only managed to finish 13th.

"The Chinese are always marvelous, and I didn't expect less from them," said Stratton, bronze medalist of the event at 2008 World Cup. "Guo has been champion for many years, and it's hard to beat her."

"But I will give my best show," added Stratton. "It is my first Olympics, and I will try to win a medal."

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)