BALLWIN, Mo. — Tyler Downs, the 20-year-old diver from Ballwin, is punching his ticket to Paris after he made Team USA for the second time.
At the U.S. Olympic trials in Knoxville Tuesday night, Tyler Downs and his diving partner Greg Duncan came in first in the men's synchronized 3-meter springboard. It was their final dive of the night.
"It was incredible. You know, these past three years leading up to this Olympics, we've had a shorter amount of time to prepare. Usually, it's four years. I've learned a lot competing in all these international competitions. Training with my best friend Greg, and all my other best friends at the pool every day. It's it's just been a great lead-up to all of this," Downs said.
This will be the second Olympics for Downs, while Duncan is a first-time Olympian.
"I'm just super proud of my team, and especially Greg, you know, he's been doing this longer than I have, and sharing this with him. It couldn't be more special, and it's a bond that we're going to share forever," Downs said.
The divers have the day off Wednesday before the week-long trials shift to individual events. 5 On Your Side's Megan Kernan caught up with Downs to see how all of his hard work paid off, leading up to where he is now, on Team USA.
"I feel like every experience is different. Back in 2020, when I qualified for Tokyo at 17, that was just crazy. Because it wasn't my expectation. But celebrating this is a lot different because I've had that experience before. So I feel like I can really learn from the journey. And it's not about the outcome. Of course, it's about the journey and making it fun. That's what it's all about. And this one was really special," he shared.
Downs made the U.S. diving team in the Tokyo Olympics but didn't win a medal. This time around, he's diving for gold.
"In Tokyo, there wasn't anybody there. It was just the divers, and we were just cheering the loudest we could for our families and our friends who couldn't make it. But leading up to this Olympics, I think it will be a different experience in the environment and having the full Olympic experience," the diver said.
For years, Downs trained at the Shaw Park pool with the Clayton diving team until he moved to Indiana for full-time training.
"Just being surrounded by such a support system, inside the pool and also outside the pool, has really helped, and just getting all the experience from many different coaches that I've had growing up, and the coaches have had now, in all their successes. It's, it's led me to where I am today," said Downs.
Downs has left a lasting impact at the Shaw Park pool. Jordan Miller, the assistant manager, said, "We can only imagine how inspiring it is for all the swimmers and divers here and to see how far you can actually get with all that hard work."
Avi Wise, head lifeguard, says, "It's inspiring to know that he came from here and trained here, and it's still continuing to be a place for diving and for young swimmers to go toward their dreams."
Downs will be competing in the Men's individual 3-meter springboard at the trials on Friday.
"I'll do the same as I do for every competition, staying composed, going in with no expectations, doing everything I know from training, and just trusting the system," said Downs.
Downs said he's proud to represent Ballwin in Paris.
"I'm looking forward to opening ceremonies again. I've heard that it's gonna be very, very special this year. We're all going to be out on boats going down the river for opening ceremonies. And I think that's gonna be really cool."
With over 850,000 followers on TikTok, Downs says he'll put out plenty of content for everyone to keep up with, just as he did at the 2020 Olympics.
"Maybe some dancing videos like I did in Tokyo. Behind-the-scenes videos, of course, showing the village, the pool, opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies, and just the whole experience throughout."