Featured Image Credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images/Fred Lee/Getty Images
Topics: Olympics, Sport, World News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Olympics, Sport, World News
The 2024 summer Olympics are now officially underway after kicking off on Friday with a star-studded Parisian opening ceremony for the ages.
For the last few weeks, however, amid the anticipation for this year's games, many sports fans have been making unexpected revelations about the way the 16-day tournament works behind the scenes.
The last seven days alone have seen more jaw-dropping scandals, criminal controversy and ground-breaking revelations than spectators were ever expecting.
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Whilst some fans of games have been left horrified after hearing the 'real reason' that a convicted child rapist has been allowed to compete, others have been shocked by a video of a now-axed British equestrian abusing her horse during practice.
In other news, a former Olympian has made the bombshell claim that getting 'down and dirty' is 'inevitable' amongst athletes in the Olympic Village.
On top of this, another ex-athlete has lifted the lid on why she doesn't plan on attending the opening ceremony, as she admitted she was 'sorry to burst the bubble'.
I know, I warned you there was drama.
And just this week, a long-held fan question regarding a particular diving ritual has finally been answered - and let's just say, it's a pretty intriguing answer.
When watching the diving competition - arguably one of the most exciting Olympic events on the timetable - you might notice that, immediately after plunging into the pool, athletes immediately take a shower.
As opposed to standing around and waiting for their competitors to take the leap.
It turns out, however, there's actually a pretty good reason for that.
According to health experts, when divers eventually clamber out of the water after taking their turn, if they don't shower and simply wait in an often cold arena, their muscles can cramp up.
As such, they're recommended to immediately take a shower, in order to prevent muscle cramping and further injury.
By taking a quick shower, the athletes muscles are able to remain loose, and this therefore reduces the chance of a pull or strain.
This is also why you'll sometimes see divers taking a dip in the arena jacuzzi on the pool deck as they await their turn to dive again.
Opening up on the matter back during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, US diving coach Jacob Brehmer previously told CNN: "Usually after a diver does a dive, they will have to wait a good amount of time before their next dive.
"The air temperature on the pool deck may be a little chilly, so the shower can help keep muscles warm."
He continued: "Diving is such a precise and fast-twitch sport, if the diver gets a little cold and tight, it could really affect their performance.”