World diving champion Irina Lashko has left Australia for Russia, leaving behind her husband and 11-year-old daughter in their home in Melbourne.

The Athens bronze medallist wants to represent Russia in Beijing at her fifth Olympics, the Sunday Herald Sun says.

Russian-born Lashko, 33, has returned to her Siberian birthplace to train under her former coach, Nikolai Mamin.

"I have never been spoilt so much since I have come back," Lashko said. "I never did expect so much support. It's beautiful."

In a bitter swipe at Australian officials, Lashko said they had probably "never done anything with passion and love".

She said husband Carol Furzer and daughter Alina supported her decision and were in touch by phone. She said her daughter was a good kid who sometimes missed her.

Lashko said the Australia officers didn't understand diving. She said the final straw for her came when she missed selection for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne this year.

"Here I am, best in the world, and they didn't select me," she said. "It was disappointing. I just didn't understand why."

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