His best Chinese friend Wang Feng, winner of the synchro event, also cheered him up after the disappointing show on Wednesday.

"I hope he (Despatie) can adjust himself soon to compete in the individual event," said Wang, who wears the same tattoo with Despatie on his left arm, describing it as a "sign of friendship".

Despatie's main rivals on the springboard will be China's Qin Kai and He Chong, legendary Russian Dimitry Sautin, one of Despatie's heroes, Ken Terauchi from Japan and Yahel Castillo from Mexico.

Despatie is that rare combination of extreme talent, work ethic and desire in one package.

Ever since he wowed the diving world by winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal at the tender age of 13, he has felt the weight of expectations.

But his own expectations have been the heaviest, and managing them is really the only obstacle for him to win a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

"When you get to a certain level, top divers in the world, the difference lies in the mind," Despatie said. "How you react to different situations, how you approach the meet."

Now 23, Despatie is easily the most talented diver Canada has ever produced. Not only is he the world champion on men's 10m tower, but he has come on strong in the last couple of years to become a top-ranked springboard diver as well.

During his Olympic debut in the 2000 Sydney Games, Despatie was barely held off the Olympic podium when he finished fourth on the tower at 15.

After two years' hard training, in the 2003 Barcelona World Championships, the 18-year-old defeated Chinese favorites Tian Liang and Hu Jia to claim victory in the 10m platform, making himself Canada's first diving world champion.

Despatie took a silver in the 3m springboard at Athens Games, bringing the first-ever Olympic medal for his country.

He even took two silvers in the 2007 Melbourne World Championships after coming back from severe injuries.