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Search forUpdate: Croydon diver blames 14-year-old partner for Olympic failure
Monday, August 11, 2008, 10:28
The duo were competing in the 10 metre synchronised diving contest in Beijing.
But this morning they finished last out of eight pairs after a disappointing third dive.
Aldridge said: "I didn't blow anything, so I can go home happy. "Unfortunately it's a partnership, you both have to be on the top of your game.
"I wasn't on top of my game but Tom was nowhere near the top of his.
"I knew we were capable of a medal but I knew it would depend on how Tom performed.
"But I outdived Thomas today and that's not something that normally happens.
"To me, that's because Tom had a lot more pressure on him than I did.
"Tom was very nervous, more so than ever before and I think he really struggled to get through the competition."
The pair also had a spat before the fifth and final dives of the competition, it has been revealed.
Aldridge said: "There was a little incident but it is an Olympic Games, you are in a different world and people are going to do things differently.
"He had a pop at me before the last dive. I saw my mum in the audience and I asked her to give me a call and Tom went to me 'Why are you on the phone? We're still in the competition and we've got another dive to do.'
"That's just Thomas - he's over-nervous. Thomas should not be worrying about what I'm doing but he was worrying about everyone and everything and that to me is really the sole reason why he didn't perform."
The competition was won by Chinese pair Yue Lin and Liang Huo, who took gold.
Aldridge, 26, who used to attend the former Stanley Technical High School in South Norwood Hill, South Norwood, has still had a successful year.
He and Daley claimed Britain's first ever gold in the Diving World Series earlier this year.
* Do you know Blake Aldridge or did you attend school with him? If so, email ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk.
DREAM DASHED: Olympic hopeful Blake Aldridge, along with 14-year-old partner Tom Daley, came last in the 10-metre synchronised diving competition
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