Sautin, double Olympic champion: “In the 90s, there was a catastrophe. Without sports, I don’t know where I would be.”

Double Olympic diving champion Dmitri Sautin told that he was grateful to fate for his sporting career.

Sautin celebrates his 50th birthday on March 15. He won the 1996 Games in Atlanta (United States) and four years later in Sydney (Australia).

— Have you ever thought that it was in vain that you did not take up another, less traumatic sport?

“When I got to the surgeon, he said, ‘You better go play chess, just move your fingers.’ I said, ‘Thanks for the advice.’ And left.

I am grateful to God and my coach that destiny brought me to diving. The 90s were a total disaster. Without sport, I don’t know where I would be. Sport saved me from all kinds of street adventures. I am very grateful to my coach, Tatyana Aleksandrovna Starodubtseva, may she rest in heaven. She taught me not only how to become a top athlete, but also life in general,” Sautin said in an interview with .