Modern athletics diving began in the early 20th century. 1900, Swedish athletes gave a wonderful diving performance at the second Olympic Games, which is recognized as the earliest modern athletics diving. 1904 In the third Olympic Games, men's diving was listed as an official event. 1908 formally formulate the rules of diving competition. By 19 12 the fifth Olympic Games, women's events were added.

Track and field diving is one of the official Olympic events, which is divided into springboard diving and platform diving.

The height of the platform from the water surface can be divided into 5m, 7.5m and10m. Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup platforms are limited to10m. Platform diving is divided into six groups according to the take-off direction and action structure: forward, backward, inward, reflexive, swivel and arm stand. In the competition, men have to complete four optional moves with difficulty coefficient limit and six optional moves without difficulty coefficient limit, while women have to complete four optional moves with difficulty coefficient limit and four optional moves without difficulty coefficient limit. The highest score of each action is 10, and the sum of all scores after all actions are completed is used as the score. The person with the highest total score ranks first. Men's and women's platform diving were listed as Olympic events in 1904 and 19 12 respectively.

Springboard diving is performed on a board with one end fixed and the other end elastic. The height of the springboard from the water surface is 1 m and 3 m. Springboard diving is divided into five groups according to the take-off direction and action structure: forward, backward, inward, reflexive and swivel. In the competition, men have to complete five optional moves with difficulty coefficient limit and six optional moves without difficulty coefficient limit, while women have to complete five optional moves with difficulty coefficient limit and five optional moves without difficulty coefficient limit. The highest score of each action is 10, and the ranking is evaluated by the sum of the scores after all actions are completed, with the highest total score ranking first. Men's and women's springboard diving were listed as Olympic events in 1908 and 1920 respectively.

Modern athletics diving was introduced to China with other European and American movements in the early 20th century. Since 1979, China athletes have made outstanding achievements in a series of major competitions, and China, the United States, Russia, Germany and Canada are recognized as the world's diving powers. Diving in some European countries has also developed rapidly, and a number of excellent divers have emerged.