Feeling stronger and healthier, Caeli McKay aims for diving podium in Paris

Canadian diver Caeli McKay doesn't have very fond memories of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

McKay, a Calgary native who moved to Montreal as a teenager, severely injured her ankle before that year's Canadian trials, depriving her of landing an Olympic spot in the individual 10-metre platform event.

Then she and former partner Meaghan Benfeito experienced heartbreak at the Games, missing the podium in the synchronized event by just over half a point.

Three years later, the 25-year-old McKay returns to the Olympic stage in Paris fortified with a healthier body and a stronger mentality.

"Looking back on it, I learned a lot," McKay said. "The mental strength that I gained there, the things that I learned there, and the power of the mentality has come through and is with me now, and I'm taking it to Paris.

"I'm really, really hungry now to go Paris and fight for a medal again with two good ankles and a relatively healthy body."

The women's 10-metre synchro event takes place on July 31, while the individual competition is set for Aug. 5 and 6 at the Paris Aquatics Centre.

Despite her young age, McKay is a veteran and mentor on a youthful Canadian diving team.

WATCH | Healthy McKay has sights set 'on a medal' in Paris:

Two first-time Olympians join her on the women's side, including 19-year-old Kate Miller of Ottawa, McKay's synchro partner since last year.

Margo Erlam, a 22-year-old from Calgary, booked her spot by surprisingly beating out veteran diver Pamela Ware on the three-meter springboard at Canadian trials in May.

"I know they are hungry as well," said McKay, who's affectionately called "grandma" by her teammates at the pool.

"As much as the age gap is not that huge, I did grow up fast. At 16, I was out of the house