Margo Erlam waits for Olympic fate after gold-medal performance at Canadian diving trials

Tears of joy ran down the face of Margo Erlam while exiting the pool following a long and stressful week that ended with her realizing a lifelong dream.

Having successfully completed a series of dives in women's 3-metre springboard, including a double somersault and half-turn in pike position to earn a high of 78.00 points on her last, Erlam met Diving Canada's qualification criteria for the Paris Olympics this summer.

"It was a really stressful day, possibly the most stressful day of my entire life," the 21-year-old Calgary native told Diving Canada on Sunday after winning the women's three-metre event at national trials in Windsor, Ont.

"I never believed [winning gold] could happen. I always do my best, but it's incredible when it happens for real, not just in your hopes and dreams."

Erlam was relieved after scoring 71.40 on her second dive which had caused her much anxiety in training.

Earlier, Erlam established herself as one of the leaders in the first round of the final, alongside Ware, Quebec's Amélie-Laura Jasmin, and Mia Vallée.

An intriguing final was expected when only 0.05 points separated Erlam and two-time Olympian Pamela Ware of Greenfield Park, Que., at Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre.

Erlam now waits as her name will be submitted to the Canadian Olympic Committee, which is scheduled to announce its diving team in June.

"It's unbelievable. I'm still trying to get my head around it," said Erlam of being one step closer to her first Summer Games.

The support of her family and friends has been invaluable in recent months.

"My parents wanted [this medal] as badly as I did," Erlam said. "They've given me so much support. I wanted to win it for the four-year-old girl I was when I first started