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Kassidy COOK
Sport Diving
NOC United States   
GenderWomen
Born09 May 1995 in Plantation, FL, USA
Height1.63 m
 Human Interest 
General Interest
Hobbies
Dancing, listening to music, cooking, reading, hiking, sports. (teamusa.org, 21 Apr 2020)
Famous relatives
Her sister Kara has competed in diving for Purdue University in the United States of America. Her other sister Kylie has played football for the University of Houston in the United States of America. (teamusa.org, 23 Sep 2010)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She first tried diving at age three.
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Work hard and perform." (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 14 Apr 2020)
Further Personal Information
Higher education
Communications, Marketing - Stanford University: United States
General Interest
Injuries
In 2021 she was troubled by a recurring shoulder problem. In May that year she competed in pain at the World Cup event in Tokyo, Japan, before taking about three weeks off from training. The following month she competed with the injury at the USA Diving Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, IN, United States of America. (houstonchronicle.com, 08 Jun 2021; teamusa.org, 24 May 2021)

In 2018 she required surgery after she broke metatarsal bones in her foot and tore ligaments in a trampolining accident. She walked with a limp for eight months, and in May 2019 she had further surgery to remove screws from the initial operation. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 14 Apr 2020)

She was affected by bulging discs in her back in 2017/18 during her senior year at Stanford University in the United States of America. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 14 Apr 2020)

She missed almost two years of competition from 2012 to 2014 with shoulder and knee injuries that required surgery. (teamusa.org, 21 Apr 2020)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs
Her lucky number is 13. (usadiving.org, 01 Jan 2015)
Further Personal Information
Languages
English
General Interest
Other information
RETIREMENT AND COMEBACK
In 2018, following the completion of her senior year at Stanford University, she retired from competitive diving due to the impact of a number of serious injuries. She began working as a technical recruiter but after a year out of the water, she quit her job and returned to the sport. "After I graduated college, I kind of felt like I needed to take a break, potentially for good. At the time, I had been through so many injuries, physical and mental issues since the 2016 Olympics. I wanted to start interviewing for jobs. In the back of my mind, I didn't think it would be for good, but I had a job and a life. But after a year out of the water, my body started feeling better. I was getting restless watching competitions. I felt like if I was healthy, I could be back on top. I thought I would really regret this if I didn't give it a shot. So I quit my job and I moved back to Texas [to start training again]. Physical fitness has always been a big part of my life. I wanted to be healthy and taking care of my body, even if it wasn't as an athlete. That is what helped me get better and defy the doctor's beliefs.” (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 14 Apr 2020)

POST-RIO BLUES SHAPE FUTURE
She was affected by mental health issues after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but she believes her struggles have helped her to mature. "I struggled with the post-Olympic depression. I had weight gain, an unhealthy relationship with food, being disappointed with my performance [in Rio]. I tried to move on, but I was not happy with diving and didn't have that love for diving anymore. I was in denial, but eventually I got some help. That helped me mature and it helped me realise it is okay to ask for help. We are not super heroes. We are athletes, and go through the same struggles. It is almost like you feel ashamed because of how people think of you as an Olympian. You feel the pressure to put that show on. That is starting to open up in sports, talking about mental health. That stigma is starting to be broken, but I definitely felt it. Rio shaped me a lot. At the time, I was 20 and I have matured a lot as an athlete and a person. I am able to handle pressure better. It was a great stepping-stone for me. I am having so much fun and the love of the sport is motivating me. I am starting to take that outside pressure and put that on the side." (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 14 Apr 2020)

PERFECT PARTNERSHIP
She and her synchro diving partner Sarah Bacon are known as 'CooknBacon' when they compete. The pair have been friends since childhood. "We've known each other since we were 10. She's one of my best friends now and she was one of my best friends when we were younger too. So just having that history, being her best friend on the board and outside the pool as well, really gives us that team atmosphere. I want to do well for her, not only for myself, because we are a team and I just really love being up there and making it a team sport. As the saying goes, 'One team, one dream'." (click2houston.com, 05 Jun 2021; startribune.com, 05 Jun 2021; teamusa.org, 24 May 2021)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport?
"I started diving because, at the time, all my older sisters did it so I was kind of raised on the pool deck. As soon as I was able to swim, I started diving and it became like a family sport. I've stuck with it ever since."
General Interest
Hero / Idol
Her older sister Kara Cook, US diver Laura Wilkinson, Chinese diver Guo Jingjing. (USA Diving YouTube channel, 28 Apr 2020)
Further Personal Information
Occupation
Athlete, Human Resources

 Competition Highlights
Olympic Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
Semifinal 2016 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 3m Springboard 304.35
World Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
4 2023 Fukuoka, JPN 3m Springboard Synchro 285.39
7 2011 Shanghai, CHN 3m Springboard Synchro 288.00
Grand Prix
Rank Year Venue Event Result
1 2020 Madrid, ESP 3m Springboard 308.10
1 2020 Madrid, ESP 3m Springboard Synchro 288.75
17 2020 Rostock, GER 3m Springboard 246.50
1 2020 Rostock, GER 3m Springboard Synchro 287.01
7 2016 San Juan, PUR 3m Springboard 276.20
2 2016 San Juan, PUR 3m Springboard Synchro 288.60
16 2012 Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA 3m Springboard 236.80
14 2011 Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA 3m Springboard 278.10
3 2011 Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA 3m Springboard Synchro 285.30
4 2010 Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA 3m Springboard Synchro 291.00
Pan American Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
4 2011 Guadalajara, MEX 3m Springboard 348.90
3 2011 Guadalajara, MEX 3m Springboard Synchro 319.50
World Series
Rank Year Venue Event Result
2 2012   3m Springboard Synchro  
2 2012 Dubai, UAE 3m Springboard Synchro 297.72
2 2012 Tijuana, MEX 3m Springboard Synchro 313.32
3 2011 Guanajuato, MEX 3m Springboard 336.60
5 2011 Guanajuato, MEX 3m Springboard Synchro 286.20
6 2011 Moscow, RUS 3m Springboard 262.65
4 2011 Moscow, RUS 3m Springboard Synchro 301.59
6 2011 Sheffield, ENG 3m Springboard 251.95
7 2011 Sheffield, ENG 3m Springboard Synchro 284.82
3 2010 Qingdao, CHN 3m Springboard Synchro 296.10