How previous setbacks drove Aussie diver Maddison Keeney to achieve her Olympic medal dream at the Paris Games

Aussie diver Maddison Keeney had seen the brutal responses online regarding her previous performances on the world stage – and at times the negativity shattered the Brisbane based athlete.

A quick Google search tells the story: ‘Maddison Keeney embarrassing dive’, ‘Diving fail’ and ‘A perfect zero’.

All from keyboard warriors who more than likely would struggle to fit into a swimming costume when attempting diving themselves.

Thankfully Keeney, 28, had the last laugh in Paris and silenced her doubters with a silver medal.

Competing in the 3m springboard event, Keeney finished behind China’s Chen Yiwen, who at times seems invincible, such is her talent and poise under pressure.

It was Keeney’s 16th career medal in world, Olympic and Commonwealth championships — but this one meant the most after missing the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 due to surgery.

‘I was very nervous,’ she said after the final. ‘But I’ve been working really close with my psych for the last 10 years.

‘I used to have a lot of trouble with my nerves, and was on all sides of results, from falling off the board, to a lot of fourth places.

Maddison Keeney finished behind China’s Chen Yiwen, who at times seems invincible, such is her talent and poise under pressure

‘Many times my legs have buckled from under me, but going through all those experiences, falling off the board, it’s kind of made me who I am.

‘I feel like I’ve been forged in fire.’

Keeney also had a message for the online trolls and those in society who crumble under pressure – seize the moment.

‘How do you deal with a last dive with a medal on the line? You are physically shaking,’ she said.

‘Your heart is pounding. Then you are on the board and it’s a different beast.

‘But for me, it is….living. This is absolutely living. This is what you live for. 

‘Exhilarating is a great word for it.’