Diving at the Rio 2016 Olympics: All you need to know

How does it work?

Each dive has an assigned difficulty rating and competitors are given points by the judges for how well they execute it. A dive with a higher difficulty rating that is executed perfectly will score well.

There are four events each for men and women, split between two heights: a springboard 3m above the water, and a rigid 10m platform.

Individual events consist of three stages, while the synchronised competition is a straight final. Men perform six dives, while women competitors perform five.

Who are the favourites?

Chinese divers have won 30 of the 40 gold medals on offer since 1992 and won all but one of the world titles in Olympic events last year.

Wu Minxia and Chen Ruolin are vying to become the first divers to win five Olympic titles; they will compete in the women's synchronised 3m and 10m respectively.

London 2012 runner-up Qiu Bo earned a record-equalling third men's 10m platform world title last year.

What about the British prospects?

Tom Daley is the big name in British diving and says he is in the best form of his life. He has genuine medal chances in both the individual 10m platform and synchronised event, in which he has forged a promising partnership with Daniel Goodfellow.

Tonia Couch and teenager Lois Toulson are another in-form new pairing in the women's equivalent, while springboard star Jack Laugher won two world bronze medals last year.

When is it on?

The first diving events begin on Sunday, 7 August, while the last day of competition in Rio takes place on Saturday, 20 August.

I didn't know that...

To mitigate the stress on the body of hitting the water at up to 35mph, machines in the pool produce tiny ripples and air bubbles to soften the water and lower its surface tension.

Previous British medallists:

Seven (two silver, five bronze).

Most recent British medal:

2012: Tom Daley (bronze, men's 10m platform).

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