Over 250 of the world’s best divers will compete at the 18th FINA Visa Diving World Cup 2012 from 20-26 February, the last qualification opportunity for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Amongst the world class line up are Chinese Olympic champions He Chong and Chen Ruolin. Chong is 2008 Olympic individual 3m Springboard gold medallist and three-time world champion while Ruolin is double Olympic champion, winning both the 10m Platform and Synchronised 10m Platform.
China is known as the dominant force in Diving but Matt Mitcham, who will represent Australia at the test event, could threaten their hopes for a gold rush at the World Cup. Mitcham became the only non-Chinese athlete to win a Diving gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games when he won the Individual 10m Platform.
The British team have named 13 athletes, including Synchronised 10m pair Tom Daley and Pete Waterfield and rising star Jack Laugher, who is current Junior World Champion in both the Individual 3m Springboard and Individual 1m Springboard. Tonia Couch, Britain’s most celebrated female diver who placed eighth in the Individual 10m Platform at the Beijing Games and has finished in the top 10 in the last two FINA World Championships, will also line up for GB.
The competition, which is part of the London Prepares series of test events and supported by Visa, UK Sport and British Swimming, will be the first sporting event to be held at the spectacular Aquatics Centre and the 31st test event to be staged by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG).
The event will test key elements of the venue operation and logistics such as lighting, results, scoring, workforce and timing while providing an ideal opportunity for athletes and team officials to compete at the venue ahead of the 2012 Games and offer feedback on LOCOG’s plans.
London 2012 Director of Sport Debbie Jevans said: "With less than 200 days to go until the start of the Games our testing continues to be a priority. Welcoming spectators into the Aquatics Centre for the 18th FINA Visa Diving World Cup 2012 will give a fantastic opportunity to see the world’s best divers compete in an Olympic venue and will also provide us, the organisers, with a unique chance to test our operations."
FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione said: "We are very happy to be here in London for this FINA Diving World Cup, which also constitutes a Test Event for the 2012 Olympic Games in this exciting city. FINA and LOCOG have worked very closely during the past years and months and it is now time to see if this hard work is fruitful. From everyone’s feedback on the Aquatic Centre, this facility is amazing and will certainly constitute an asset for the success of FINA’s disciplines at the Games’ time. I am sure that this World Cup will also be a milestone and I look forward to witnessing the performances of our best athletes next summer during the Olympic celebration".
UK Sport’s Director of Major Events and International Relations, Simon Morton, said: "The FINA Visa Diving World Cup in London will be the fifth diving event, and the 11th aquatics event, UK Sport has supported through our Lottery funded Major Events Programme since 2007.
"Competing at the Olympic venue represents a fantastic opportunity for our athletes, while the experience will be invaluable to our coaches and support staff, to help ensure they are best prepared for the home Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in less than six months time."
Colin Grannell, Head of Partnership Marketing at Visa Europe said: "As a sponsor of the Olympic Games for more than 25 years, we know that the 18th FINA Visa Diving World Cup 2012 will be a great opportunity for people to preview of one of the most popular competitions of the Olympic Games. This qualifying event will be crucial for Team 2012 and international athletes to reach their goal of competing this summer."
David Sparkes British Swimming Chief Executive said: "We are really excited about the upcoming 18th FINA Visa Diving World Cup. This event, which will be the first major event in the London 2012 Aquatics Centre, will showcase most of the World’s Diving stars.
"What a great opportunity this will be for our GBR Diving Team to take on some of their competitors in the Olympic venue and give us all an insight to what the Olympics will all be about."
For more information, visit: www.london2012.com
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