Skip to main content

Alexandre Despatie of Laval, Que. took third place in men's 3 metre springboard at the FINA Visa Diving World Cup at Olympic Aquatic Centre in London, England, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012.The Canadian Press

Canadian diver Alexandre Despatie has cleared a psychological hurdle in his comeback from a head injury.

On Friday, the two-time Olympic silver medalist completed the dive that landed him in hospital with a concussion last month and put his London Games preparation in jeopardy.

"Today has been a memorable one!" Despatie said on Twitter. "This morning I did 'THE' dive again..It went well! I was a bit emotional after..But a big step for me! #proud."

The 27-year-old from Laval, Que., smashed his head during practice in Spain on June, leaving a nasty 10-centimetre gash near his hairline that required surgery to close.

The dive was an inward three-and-a-half in which Despatie takes off from a standing position with his back to the water, with his head dropping forward toward the board.

Canada's Olympic skeleton champion Jon Montgomery tweeted his support.

"(at)ADespatie good on ya brotha! One big step done... Keep at'er and you'll be Cruzin! Good luck and have some fun," Montgomery tweeted.

Despatie, who doesn't remember hitting his head, confirmed last week that he would compete in London.

Interact with The Globe