By Kane Wu
PARIS (Reuters) – French diver Jules Bouyer wants fans to focus on his performance rather than his swimsuit after photos and videos of him at the Paris Olympics went viral on social media.
The 22-year-old Bouyer finished in fifth place with partner Alexi Jandard in the men’s synchronised 3-metre springboard event, France’s best result in the sport so far.
Male divers wear tight, skimpy costumes in competition to ensure their suits do not slip off and so as to reduce the splash made by entering the water as much as possible.
Bouyer said he had been unperturbed about comments over his appearance on social media.
“If some people find it amusing to look at my pants, that’s their problem. It amused me,” he said. “That said, we mustn’t forget that it can take the athlete out of his bubble and that it can hurt.
“That wasn’t the case for me. It was rather fun. I prefer people to look at my dives rather than my briefs, but there’s nothing to worry about.”
Bouyer is set to compete in the individual 3-metre springboard event that begins on Tuesday with the preliminary round.
(Reporting by Kane Wu; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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