Q&A
How did you get started in your sport?
When I was nine, I took swimming lessons at the University of Puerto Rico. The coach saw me dive and said I had some talent, and he talked to my mom. She had her own business to run and was very busy. The coach suggested I dive with the senior group since I could be at practice at that time without interfering with my mom's schedule. I learned and worked really hard. Six months later, as a 10-year old, I made the Puerto Rico national team for the Central American Games.

Was there a turning point in your career?
I was 12 years old and improving quickly. After winning the Central American Games, I went to Orlando and had the best time of my life. I was so happy. I had never seen a pool so nice.

The coach for the Orlando team, Jeff Schafer, really liked the way I dived. He thought I had talent so he asked me if I wanted to move to Florida. I asked my coach at the time for advice and he said, "That's the best decision you can make. It's a great opportunity to get better."

My mother had her business, but she wanted to give me this great chance. She sold her business and we moved to Orlando, just the two of us. To this day I can't believe how awesome that was of her, to move here and give up everything.

Have you tried to qualify for the Olympics before?
I dived fairly well in the Olympic Trials in April 1996. At the trials I wasn't nervous. My attitude was, "Hey, I have nothing to lose. I will learn from this." I did better in the finals than the prelims. If I had done as well in the prelims I would have been a top four or so and been in contention for the Olympic Team. But I missed one or two dives in the prelims. That taught me a lot.

What advice do you have for aspiring athletes?
Diving has taught me so much. I now know that if I put my mind to it and keep working I can do well and I will improve. I've learned so much about being responsible, getting to practice on time, and dealing with expectations. I love talking to kids. I tell them to do the best they can and not let anyone put them down. I tell them to practice hard, but to have fun.

The Olympic Spirit in YOU!
Mark Ruiz learned a lot about making choices and taking responsibility. Identify a role model -- someone you believe has achieved something worthwhile or important. Make a list of the things for which they have taken responsibility. Consider and discuss how the responsibilities they have accepted, and the choices they have made, have helped them achieve their success or accomplishment.

More Interviews

Akhnaten Spencer-El Alison Dunlap Anna Kozlova Barb Kunkel Chris Witty Dominique Moceanu Dan O'Brien Hunter Kemper

Jimmy Pedro Kevin Han Lindsay Davenport Laura Wilkinson Lisa Fernandez Mark Ruiz Ruthie Bolton-Holifield Tom Malchow

With thanks to Bob Schaller. For more great stories about Olympians, ask your librarian about The Olympic Dream and Spirit, Vol. 1,2, and 3, with Mr. Schaller, and Awaken the Olympian Within compiled by John Naber.