While her gold medal thrust Wilkinson into the national spotlight, it wasn't the first major accomplishment of her career. In 1998, she claimed gold at the Goodwill Games, also on the platform. But, those two golds aren't the only ones in Wilkinson's collection: the 24-year-old has claimed 26 major national and international gold medals. She's also won 10 U.S. National Diving Championships, including five individual titles and five synchronized titles. She's a seven-time U.S. National Team member, eight-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion for the University of Texas.

Wilkinson took time to share some of her most memorable diving experiences, including an accident that put her in the hospital. She also talks about her start in the sport and her hopes for the 2004 Olympics.

Q1. How did you get your start in diving?

LAURA WILKINSON: My parents built a pool in our backyard when I was 4, and it had a diving board in it. I probably started jumping off the board shortly after I learned how to swim. The funny part is that the entire 7 years I was in gymnastics, I remember teaching my teammates how to do back dives off the board in our pool. And I didn't really know anything about it!

Q2. When did you realize that diving was something you wanted to pursue?

LAURA WILKINSON: I quit gymnastics when I was 13, and I tried many different sports to fill my time-I'm not the type of person that can sit still for very long! When I was 15 I found diving. Many of my old gymnastics friends were in it and I loved it right off the bat.

Q3. What is the worst accident you've had in diving so far?

LAURA WILKINSON: I have had a LOT of bad smacks, but I've hit the board a few times. Probably the worst was when I hit my foot on a practice platform while doing flips onto a mat. I broke 3 bones in my right foot and had to have surgery later on.

Q4. Who has had a great influence on you as a diver?

LAURA WILKINSON: So many people have had an amazing influence on me! Patty and Kenny Armstrong have definitely, though, had the greatest influence. They both took me in as part of their family. Kenny has taught me so many lessons and they go far beyond diving. Patty was the one who was there with me on platform as I learned all my dives. She was always a positive motivator and courageous leader.

Q5. What was it like competing at the 2000 Olympics?

LAURA WILKINSON: Competing at the 2000 Olympics was truly a dream come true, but not just because of the gold medal. It was everything I had dreamed about... meeting all the other athletes, becoming a family with other sports, representing the USA, seeing the Olympic Torch in person. I have to admit, from the moment we got there, I soaked in everything!

Q6. What are your future goals, both in diving and beyond?

LAURA WILKINSON: I would absolutely love to go to the 2004 Olympics and win some more medals! Beyond that, diving will really depend on how my body is holding up and how I feel at that point. Beyond diving, I'm getting married this September and building a house right now with my fiancé. My hands are pretty full!

Q7. How do you mentally prepare before each dive?

LAURA WILKINSON: Before each dive, I do a lot of praying... not to win or to be perfect, but to make corrections and dive my best. I always go through the last minute corrections from my coach, and I build up my confidence by reciting Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

Q8. What do you enjoy doing for fun when you're not diving?

LAURA WILKINSON: I LOVE to watch movies! I also like to dance and write and read new books.

Q9. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

LAURA WILKINSON: Graduating from the University of Texas in Austin, December 2001. Relaxing and trusting God during the 2000 Olympic Games.

Q10. What advice do you have for young divers out there?

LAURA WILKINSON: Never give up. People have always doubted me and laughed at me, but I never gave up. By persevering, you may surprise yourself, but you will astound others.