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Head Diving Coach Wenbo Chen Joins 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Staff
7/5/2024 10:16:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Chen Joins Olympic Staff for a Third Time
MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota Head Men's and Women's Diving Coach Wenbo Chen has been named a U.S. Olympic Team Assistant Coach for the third time in his career.
This week, USA Diving announced the staff for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Chen will join Indiana University's Drew Johansen, who will return for his fourth consecutive stint as Head Diving Coach for Team USA. Former Gopher women's diver Sarah Bacon will be among the athletes Chen is set to coach, as she earned a spot to represent the United States in Paris this summer. She will compete in the 3m synchro and 3m individual events.
Chen brings a wealth of experience to this year's Olympic squad. From success on the Big Ten, national, and international stage, Chen has made a name for himself in the diving world. As for Olympic experience, he served as an assistant at the 2008 games in Beijing and the 2012 games in London. During the 2012 games, he coached gopher great Kelci Bryant to a silver medal in 3m synchro.
Chen joined the Gopher staff in 2009 following four years as USA diving's head coach and associate director for USA Diving's National Training Center. During his time at the University of Minnesota, Chen has been named Big Ten Women's Diving Coach of the year nine times, and Men's Diving Coach of the year in 2016.
Under Chen, several Gopher divers have found great success. Most recently, Vivi Del Angel won Minnesota's first ever National Championship in 2024 on womens platform. In his 15 seasons with the Gophers, 65 divers have received All-American honors. The program has also consistently sent divers to NCAA Championships.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will run from July 26 to August 11. Diving events will be held at the Aquatics Centre beginning July 27.