Diver Cassidy Krug's Road To The Olympics

Born in Pittsburgh and raised in nearby Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, Cassidy Krug was surrounded by diving since a young age. Both of her parents, as well as her younger brother, are diving coaches, practically paving the way for her entry into the aquatic sport. Krug began diving and gymnastics training early on and ended up quitting gymnastics at the age of 15 in order to focus on her goal of becoming a professional diver. Although she had always been interested in and dedicated to diving, she had never seriously considered the Olympics until then. Krug was trained by both of her parents, working with her mother during her high school years and both her mother and father while part of the Pitt Aquatic Club Team, according to NBC.com.

At the age of 18, Krug began her post-secondary studies at Stanford University and continued diving under the guidance of coach Rick Schavone. Krug valued her time at the school greatly. “I improved so much my freshman year at Stanford,” she told TeamUSA.org. She attempted to join the Olympics in both 2004 and 2008, but failed to make it both times. She finished in eighth place in 2004 and although she was a top contender for the 2008 games, a back injury greatly affected her chances and she ranked eighth once again.

After failing to make the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Krug decided to leave diving and started working as a Marketing Coordinator after graduating from Stanford. However, she began to miss the sport too much and felt that she needed to make one more attempt at competing in the Olympics. She began training once again in fall 2009 with coach Schavone in hopes of making it to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Krug has won 11 national diving championships, racking up six of those wins in the past two years, with two wins in synchronized diving and four from individual. Although she was close to quitting the sport completely in 2008, it's clear that her love for diving has motivated her to become an altogether stronger athlete and competitor. Not only will this kind of drive and determination make a difference on Team USA, but it will inspire audiences to go after their own goals with the same amount of force.

Despite the many obstacles along the way, Krug is close to reaching her Olympic dreams. She has qualified for a place on the Olympic Team Trials and will be competing for a spot on USA's official Olympics diving team.

—LESLIE CHEN