The Most Difficult Olympic Dive, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the dive you think is the most difficult!

Updated on May 1, 2024 06:25

In the thrilling arena of Olympic diving, each leap towards the pool is not just about grace and precision, but also about the sheer difficulty of the maneuvers performed. Understanding which dive sets the highest standard of complexity can enhance both spectator appreciation and athlete preparation. This is where accurately assessing and ranking these dives becomes crucial, offering a clear view of the pinnacle of diving difficulty. By participating in the voting process, you contribute to a consensus that does more than just spotlight the toughest dives; it fosters a community of informed and engaged fans. Your vote helps clarify which dives demand the utmost skill and bravery, shaping how newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike think about the sport. This dynamic ranking adjusts with each new vote, painting an ever clearer picture of diving's most daunting challenges.

What Is the Most Difficult Olympic Dive?

1

64
votes
Forward 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck position

Fu Mingxia (China)

This dive is considered one of the most difficult in the world due to its high degree of difficulty and the precision required to execute it perfectly. It involves four and a half forward somersaults in a tucked position, making it extremely challenging to maintain control and balance throughout the dive.
The forward 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck position is a highly challenging diving maneuver performed in Olympic competitions. In this dive, the diver starts from a platform or springboard and executes four and a half somersaults in a forward direction while holding a tuck position throughout the entire rotation. The tuck position involves the diver bringing their knees into their chest and maintaining a compact shape during the dive.

Difficulty: 4.8

Number of somersaults: 4 1/2

Position: Tuck

Starting position: Platform or springboard

Degree of rotation: 1440 degrees
2

44
votes
Back 3 1/2 somersaults in tuck position

This dive requires a high degree of technical skill and precision, as it involves three and a half backward somersaults in a tucked position. It is a challenging dive that requires a lot of strength and control to execute.
The 'Back 3 1/2 somersaults in tuck position' is a highly challenging Olympic dive where the diver performs a backwards somersault while executing three and a half somersault rotations. The diver maintains a tuck position throughout the maneuver, bringing their knees close to their chest.

Difficulty Level: Very Difficult

Start Position: Backwards

Somersault Count: 3 1/2

Position during Rotation: Tuck

Degree of Rotation: 900 degrees
3

20
votes
Reverse 3 1/2 somersaults in tuck position

This dive requires a high level of control and balance, as it involves three and a half backward somersaults in a tucked position. It is considered one of the most difficult dives in the world due to the precision required to execute it perfectly.
The Reverse 3 1/2 somersaults in tuck position is a highly complex and challenging Olympic dive. It involves performing a backward-facing somersault while completing three and a half rotations in a tucked position.

Difficulty Level: Very Difficult

Dive Type: Backward-facing somersault with 3 1/2 rotations

Position: Tuck

Starting Position: Holding a stationary tuck position at the edge of the diving board

Take-off: Backward leap from the board
4

19
votes
Inward 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck position

Greg Louganis

This dive is considered one of the most difficult in the world due to its high degree of difficulty and the precision required to execute it perfectly. It involves four and a half inward somersaults in a tucked position, making it extremely challenging to maintain control and balance throughout the dive.
The Inward 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck position is one of the most difficult and complex dives in Olympic diving. It requires the diver to jump backwards off the diving platform and perform four and a half somersaults while in a tuck position before entering the water.

Dive number: 109C

Degree of Difficulty: 4.8

Total somersaults: 4.5

Starting position: Backwards facing the platform

Body position: Tuck (legs pulled in towards the chest)
5

20
votes
Forward 2 1/2 somersaults, 3 twists in pike position

This dive involves two and a half forward somersaults and three twists in a pike position. It is one of the most difficult dives in the world due to the complexity of the twists and the precision required to execute it perfectly.
The 'Forward 2 1/2 somersaults, 3 twists in pike position' is a challenging Olympic dive that requires the diver to perform a complex combination of acrobatic maneuvers in mid-air. The dive begins with the diver launching themselves forward off the diving board, executing two and a half somersaults while simultaneously performing three twists. Throughout the dive, the diver maintains a pike position, which involves bending at the waist with straight legs and touching the toes or shins with their hands.

Degree of Difficulty: 4.8

Starting position: Forward position on the edge of the diving board

Number of somersaults: 2.5

Number of twists: 3

Body position: Pike position - bent at the waist with straight legs
6

8
votes
Back 2 1/2 somersaults, 2 1/2 twists in pike position

Fu Mingxia

This dive requires a high degree of technical skill and precision, as it involves two and a half backward somersaults and two and a half twists in a pike position. It is a challenging dive that requires a lot of strength and control to execute.
The 'Back 2 1/2 somersaults, 2 1/2 twists in pike position' is a highly difficult Olympic dive performed in the platform event. In this dive, the diver starts from a back-facing position on the platform and executes two and a half somersaults while simultaneously twisting two and a half times. The dive is performed in the pike position, which involves the diver bending at the waist with straight legs and toes pointed.

Dive type: Forward facing, somersault, and twist combination

Difficulty: Very Difficult

Degree of rotation: 900 degrees

Number of somersaults: 2 1/2

Number of twists: 2 1/2
7

3
votes
Reverse 2 1/2 somersaults, 2 1/2 twists in pike position

Edward Haywood

This dive requires a high level of control and balance, as it involves two and a half backward somersaults and two and a half twists in a pike position. It is considered one of the most difficult dives in the world due to the precision required to execute it perfectly.
The Reverse 2 1/2 somersaults, 2 1/2 twists in pike position is a highly challenging Olympic dive. It involves performing a reverse takeoff from the diving board, executing two and a half somersaults in the air while simultaneously completing two and a half twists. The diver maintains a pike position throughout the dive, folding their body at the waist with the legs straight and the torso bent forward.

Degree of Difficulty: 3.8

Number of somersaults: 2 1/2

Number of twists: 2 1/2

Position: Pike

Takeoff: Reverse
8

17
votes
Front 4 1/2 somersaults with 1/2 twist in pike position

Fu Mingxia

This dive involves four and a half forward somersaults with a half twist in a pike position. It is one of the most difficult dives in the world due to the complexity of the twists and the precision required to execute it perfectly.
The front 4 1/2 somersaults with 1/2 twist in pike position is one of the most difficult and complex dives in Olympic diving. It requires the diver to perform four and a half somersaults while twisting half a turn, all executed in a pike position.

Difficulty Level: Very Difficult

Dive Type: Front Dive

Somersaults: 4 1/2

Twists: 1/2

Position: Pike
9

5
votes
Back 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck position

Greg Louganis

This dive requires a high degree of technical skill and precision, as it involves four and a half backward somersaults in a tucked position. It is a challenging dive that requires a lot of strength and control to execute.
The 'Back 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck position' is one of the most difficult dives in Olympic competition. It involves a backward takeoff from the diving board and executing four and a half somersaults while in the tuck position.

Difficulty: 4.1

Start Position: Back

Number of Somersaults: 4.5

Position during Somersaults: Tuck

Takeoff Direction: Backward
10

6
votes
Inward 3 1/2 somersaults with 1/2 twist in pike position

This dive requires a high level of control and balance, as it involves three and a half inward somersaults with a half twist in a pike position. It is considered one of the most difficult dives in the world due to the precision required to execute it perfectly.
The 'Inward 3 1/2 somersaults with 1/2 twist in pike position' is an extremely difficult diving maneuver performed in Olympic competitions. It involves the diver starting from a stationary position, diving off the springboard or platform, and executing three and a half somersaults while rotating their body a half twist in the pike position. The diver finally enters the water vertically, ideally with minimal splash.

Difficulty Level: Very Difficult

Dive Type: Inward Dive

Somersaults: 3 1/2

Twist: 1/2

Body Position: Pike

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult dive

Body position - The body position of the diver during execution adds to the difficulty of a dive. There are four body positions

straight, pike, tuck, and free. Generally, straight and pike dives are harder to perform due to the body's rigidity and the need for precision.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult Olympic dive. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or dive is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2794 views
203 votes
10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Forward 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck position
Back 3 1/2 somersaults in tuck position
Back 2 1/2 somersaults, 2 1/2 twists in pike position
Inward 3 1/2 somersaults with 1/2 twist in pike position

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each dive once every 24 hours. The rank of each dive is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult olympic dive

The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of athletic achievement, and the diving competition is no exception. Diving has been a part of the Olympics since 1904, and since then, athletes have been pushing the limits of what is possible in the sport. One of the most challenging events in diving is the 10-meter platform, where divers must perform intricate and acrobatic maneuvers while falling from a height of 10 meters. The most difficult Olympic dive is a subjective topic, as each dive requires a unique combination of strength, skill, and courage. However, some of the most challenging dives include the forward 4 ½ somersault in the pike position, the back 3 ½ somersault in the tuck position, and the reverse 3 ½ somersault in the pike position. These dives require an incredible amount of concentration, precision, and athleticism, and only the bravest and most skilled divers attempt them.