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His face said it all

When Yona Knight-Wisdom looked up at the results screen to see that he had won a silver medal at the Diving World Cup in Rio, having already become the first Jamaican male diver to qualify for the Olympic Games, emotion got the better of him

Born in England to a Jamaican father and a Barbadian mother, 20-year-old Knight-Wisdom earned a Rio 2016 place for his fatherland in the individual 3m springboard event at on Sunday night, when he qualified for the semi-finals

On Monday afternoon he reached the finals and late that night he finished second, between Mexico’s Rommel Pacheco and the USA’s Kristian Ipsen

“My aim was to win a place (at the Olympics)

To get to the finals was a surprise

I’m absolutely shocked with this result”Yona Knight-WisdomCool diving: Knight-Wisdom produced his best ever performance at the Olympic venue (Photo: Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)Knight-Wisdom scored a personal best of 459

25 points at the renovated Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre, which is hosting more than 200 of the world’s best divers in the Olympic qualifier that is doubling up as the sport’s Rio 2016 test event

“I’ll be the first ever male diver from Jamaica at the Olympics, there was a female diver in 1972,” he said

“As my father is Jamaican and my mother is Barbadian, my option was to choose between one of those two

After making sure that I wouldn’t upset either side of the family, I chose Jamaica and I’ve been representing the country since 2012

”Become an Olympic diving expert with our interactive infographicIn an interview with The Jamica Gleaner, Knight-Wisdom admitted that he burst into tears upon realising that he had qualified for the Olympic Games, and said he hopes his achievement will inspire others to reach beyond their expectations

“It should inspire people to try new things,” said the Leeds Beckett University student

“Don’t be limited to what is normal and what is safe

Don’t be afraid to go against the odds

”“I’ve gone against the odds, with the faith and support of my family, coaches and teammates, and I’ve succeeded”Yona Knight-WisdomKnight-Wisdom admires his medal at the FINA Diving World Cup (Photo: Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)Despite the victory of Pacheco, the flag raised highest during the medal ceremony was that of FINA, as Mexican athletes are currently competing under the care of aquatic sport’s governing body due to their nation’s suspension

Not being able to use the Mexican kit, he topped the podium in a Popeye t-shirt but although heard the FINA anthem, he sang that of his country

“I would have loved to see the green, red and white flag waving

But at the end of the day, the winner is the same

I’m very happy with the result”Rommel PachecoRommel Pacheco took gold in the individual 3m springboard event (Photo: Getty Images/Warren Little)Brazil earned two places in the individual 3m springboard event thanks to César Castro and Juliana Veloso

“They even let off fireworks to celebrate,” joked Castro, referring to the lightning that zig-zagged in the sky above the Maria Lenk

 Veteran Brazilian Juliana Veloso won an Olympic slot in the women’s individual 3m springboard and hopes to be chosen by the Brazilian selectors for what would be her fifth Games

‘I’m getting a bit old,’ jokes Tom Daley after earning a place at Rio 2016280 members of the National Force are providing security at the diving test event (Photo: Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)The event has also seen Rio 2016 test its security operations to the highest level yet, with the National Force in action for the first time in a scheme practically equal to that which will be used during Rio 2016

“For us, it’s already something worthwhile

We’re effectively going to ensure the safety of the event

It’s not a training exercise,” said Andrei Rodrigues, security secretary for major events at the Ministry for Justice

Rio2016

com is not an absolute authority on qualification for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is an ongoing process

Final places will only be confirmed in July 2016 (for the Olympic Games) and August 2016 (for the Paralympic Games)

The qualification systems are defined by each sport’s respective International Federation and the International Olympic Committee or International Paralympic Committee, and are subject to change

When an athlete or team wins a quota place for their nation, the final decision on whether this ‘slot’ is used and which athletes are sent is taken by the respective National Olympic Committee or National Paralympic Committee (NOC or NPC)

Even when athletes win a ‘nominal’ place for themselves, NOCs/NPCs may have to decide who to send if the number of qualified athletes from one country exceeds the quota