Former Olympian Chen Puts Schoolwork Before Diving

AMHERST, N. Y. â€”  Former Olympians who finish third at the NCAA Division II level are normally not visions of joy, but Xiao-Xia Chen of Cal State Northridge is an exception.

Chen, whose first name is pronounced Chow-Chow, was a diver on China’s 1984 Olympic team, but she has traded in a training regimen for one of schoolwork.

Which is precisely why a third-place finish in the 3-meter event Thursday did not seem so bad.

After 14 years of extensive training learning to perfect her skills, diving now is a secondary pursuit for the 27-year-old sophomore.

The truth be told, Chen has worked more on pronouncing a backward 1 1/2 somersault than performing one during the past year.

“I trained a lot more before,� she said. “I’m too busy with school. To study is more important now. Before, I dived all the time.�

Her commitment to earning a degree in physical education has cost her a spot on the Chinese team for 1988.

“In November, they asked me to go back for a meet to qualify,� Chen said. “But I was getting ready for final exams. So I didn’t go.�

She doubts she would have made the cut, anyway.

“I’ve been diving 14 years,� she said. “That’s enough for me. It’s good for me to learn something else.

“They have younger players who are doing great. They don’t need me now.�