One Last Time for Julia Vincent

What better way is there to wrap up an athletics career than to do it on the world’s biggest stage? Former South Carolina diver Julia Vincent (2014-2018) will compete in her third Olympic games for South Africa and then hang up her swimsuit. Before this phase of her life ends, she’s ready to make the most of it.

“This is my third Olympics, and I think the feeling of qualifying never gets old,” said Vincent who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics as well as the 2021 games in Tokyo and will be in Paris for the 2024 Olympics competing in the three-meter springboard individual event which begins August 7. “I think the only difference from the first time qualifying was that I wasn’t expecting to at all. I was just hoping for the best. This time around I expected it of myself knowing what I’ve done on the international stage.

“I love South Africa so it is always such an honor to wear my flag on my chest when I compete. I’ve always felt it to be extra special because I believe any athlete that competes for South Africa is doing it for more than themselves. Sport brings a sense of unity like nothing else and to come from such a small country and make it on to such a big stage, it just means a lot. A lot of people from more developed countries don’t understand some of the obstacles smaller countries face, especially countries from Africa. Everything we go through to get to that stage brings a very different level of pride.”

Having competed at the Olympics before helps her feel prepared.

“I want to go in feeling mentally sound and with a sense of confidence,” Vincent said. “My main goal is to stay steady throughout each round of dives; not trying to be perfect but remaining steady and calm because I know if I do that, my performance will speak for itself. I also want to have a great time and take in the experience. My last Olympics wasn’t the performance I wanted, I dropped one dive pretty badly which really knocked my confidence and took out my chances of progressing to the next round.”

The Johannesburg, South Africa, native was a three-time All-American at South Carolina and a four-time Scholar-All-American, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health.

“I absolutely loved my time at South Carolina,” Vincent said. “I learned a lot in the years that I dove there, not only about the sport of diving, but also about myself as a person. I think it prepared me well moving into the next chapter of my career when I headed to Lexington, Kentucky, in 2021 to continue training.”

As she prepares to compete in the City of Light, Vincent is excited to soak in the entire experience.

“I have always wanted to visit Paris, and I think it will be an incredible couple of weeks diving and exploring,” Vincent said. “My mom, fiancé (Briggs Alexander), a high school best friend and a couple other extended family members and friends will be coming to support me for which I am so grateful. I turn 30 soon after I compete there, so it will be a great celebration for many reasons with family and friends.”

When the games are done and she is no longer training, Vincent is excited to see where the next stage of life takes her.

“I currently coach a club team part time throughout the day to pay the bills, but soon I will be looking into using my degree and working here in Lexington (KY),” Vincent said. “I am very interested in helping underserved communities to better their health outcomes by finding ways to make the healthy option the easy option with regard to food and physical activity. I am not entirely sure what I will do yet, but once I retire after Paris, I will be looking into full-time jobs.

“I am hanging up my swimsuit for the final time after this Olympics to close out my 16-year career which is very bittersweet for me. I am definitely excited to explore this new chapter, but I know I will miss everything that diving gave me. I am getting married next May which is exciting and it’s something that will keep me distracted and transition me into a new chapter of life.”