Olympic Diving Judge Docks Points for 'Insufficient Terror' During 10-Meter Platform Dive

Olympic diving judge Yevgeny Splashkov has submitted a controversial scorecard docking Chinese diver Li Wei 0.3 points for 'insufficient visible apprehension' during a reverse three-and-a-half somersault from the 10-meter platform. 'The execution was flawless,' Splashkov conceded in his written assessment. 'But the diver displayed no fear. None. She stood on a platform ten meters above water and looked calm. This is not human behavior. I am deducting for emotional inauthenticity.' The deduction, filed under the obscure 'Presentation' category, has no precedent in the history of competitive diving. FINA's rulebook addresses form, splash, and degree of difficulty, but contains no provision for the expected emotional state of the diver. 'There is no rule requiring terror,' confirmed FINA technical director Hans Springboard. 'And we would prefer judges not create new ones during competition.' Splashkov, who has judged at three Olympic Games, defended his position in a post-competition interview. 'I have sat at the edge of a 10-meter platform,' he said. 'It is very high. The water is very far away. A normal person would show at least a flicker of concern. Ms. Li showed nothing. She looked like she was waiting for an elevator. It was unnerving.' Li, who won gold despite the deduction, addressed the criticism through a translator: 'I have been diving from 10 meters since I was nine years old. I was not afraid. If the judge wants fear, he should try the dive himself.' Splashkov confirmed that he would not be attempting the dive.