July 20, 2005

MONTREAL (AP) - Alexandre Despatie wanted to share part of his water droplet-shaped gold medal with his hometown of Montreal.

It was more than just a civic gesture on his part.

The 20-year-old Montreal native has been the public face of the World Swimming Championships, which were stripped from the city in January because of budget woes.

So when Despatie won the 3-meter springboard title with a dominating performance last night, he remembered the tough times.

"They didn�t know if there was going to be a World Championships," Despatie said. "When the mayor put his foot down and said, �These games are coming to Montreal,� he did his job."

Despatie never backed down in his support of bringing the meet to North America for the first time in its 11-year history.

"A little part of this medal belongs to the organization," he said. "I didn�t give up, and they didn�t give up."

Despatie finished first with 813.60 points against a stellar field that included defending world champion Alexander Dubroskok of Russia and 2003 silver medalist Peng Bo of China.

His point total was the highest at the World Championships, bettering Dubroskok�s winning score of 788.37 two years ago in Barcelona.

"The whole 800-point barrier was something I thought wouldn�t happen," Despatie said. "I�ve been close and other guys have been close, but I was the lucky one."

American Troy Dumais earned the silver with 752.76 points. He Chong of China took the bronze with 730.77.

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