Paris Olympics: The Surprising Reason Divers Take a Quick Shower After Every Dive

PARIS, France — At the Paris Olympics, divers perform multiple dives during each event. Yet, after every dive, they quickly head to the showers. This routine can confuse spectators. Why do they shower between dives, knowing they’ll get wet again?

The showers serve a crucial purpose: muscle protection. After a dive, entering the air-conditioned pool deck can be chilling, causing muscles to tense up. Divers rinse off with warm water, sometimes using a hot tub, to keep their muscles warm and loose.

Following the rinse, athletes use a tiny towel called a “shammy” to dry off. Though they’ll soon get wet again, staying dry helps during the wait between dives. In a sport demanding precision, maintaining dry muscles ensures safer, more competitive dives.

RELATED: Rules of the Game: Diving at the Paris Olympics

Under FINA regulations, the governing body for international water competitions, the diving pool water temperature at the Olympics must be at least 26 degrees Celsius, or 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Indoor swimming competition water temperatures must range between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius (77° to 82.4° Fahrenheit).

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