Rio Olympics 2016: Melissa Wu a diving veteran at 24 as new-look team named for Games

SHE made her Olympic debut as a tiny, shy teenager at the Beijing Games back in 2008. Now eight years on Melissa Wu is the veteran of the Australian diving team heading to Rio.

Melissa Wu will dive at her third Olympic Games in Rio.

SHE made her Olympic debut as a tiny, shy teenager and the youngest member of the Australian team competing at the Beijing Games back in 2008,

Now eight years on Melissa Wu is the veteran of the Australian diving team heading to Rio.

The 24-year-old, who win silver on debut and finished just off the podium in London four years ago, is now in career best form heading into her third Olympics.

Divers (L-R) Melissa Wu, Brittany Broben, Grant Nel, Kevin Chavez, Annablelle Smith, Esther Qin and Domonic Bedggood at the Australian Olympic Games diving team announcement.

“The more you dive the more you learn from experience,’’ said the former teen tyro who won silver in the 10m synchronised platform in Beijing in 2008.

“I’m more knowledgeable than four years ago.

“I haven’t put too much focus on medals. I just want to dive my best.”

Wu is one of four Olympians named in the team for Rio on Wednesday with five rookies also making the cut. The nine athletes named bought the team size to 200.

Australian Olympian Melissa Wu diving at a recent event.

Silver medallist Brittany Broben — Australia’s lone medallist at the London Olympics — will join Wu in the 10m platform as the Aussies strive to make the medal podium at their fifth straight Olympics.

Broben was forced to rely on the selectors discretion to secure her spot after dislocating her shoulder last month.

Also on the team is Maddison Keeney in the 3m springboard and the springboard synchronised alongside London Olympian Anabelle Smith.

Melissa Wu and Domonic Bedggood inspect their new kit bags during the Australian Olympic Games diving team announcement.

Also contesting the 3m individual will be inform rookie and Commonwealth Games champion Esther Qin.

The men’s team is comprised of three new faces and London Olympian James Connor.

Connor and Olympic rookie but Commonwealth Games gold medallist Domonic Bedggood will contest the 10m platform and Kevin Chavez and Grant Nel will dive the 3m springboard.

Bedggood has made the dream despite fracturing his back doing gymnastics as a child.