Divers set for showdown in Dubai

The excitement is building as the world’s best divers have arrived in Dubai and spent yesterday familiarising themselves with the conditions at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex ahead of this weekend’s FINA/Midea Diving World Series. The divers are full of praise for the venue, with China’s 10m Platform World Champion Qui Bo calling it one of the best venues in the world. Jesus Mena, the FINA Technical Diving Committee Chairman, echoed this sentiment, saying, “this is the best venue I have seen in 20 years of diving competitions.” Canadian 3m springboard synchro World Silver medalist Jennifer Abel added, “I feel like a superstar out there, the venue is amazing.” And with almost every medalist from the 2011 World Championships in Dubai for this weekend’s competition, the divers on display really are superstars. Those working at the venue were given a sneak peek of the quality of the diving on offer this weekend as the divers were put through their paces over the last two days, with many commenting on the amazing level of skill on display. China’s eight current World Champions will face some tough competition though as the teams from the UK, Canada, Russia, Mexico and the US in particular are out to prove their quality and gain a psychological advantage in the lead up to the Olympics. With 58 of the World’s best divers from 11 countries competing this weekend, diving fans are in for a sporting spectacular unlike any ever witnessed in Dubai before. “We are very excited about welcoming the competitors and teams to this first ever diving event in Dubai at the wonderful Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex” said Ahmed al Falasi, President of the UAE Swimming Federation. “The standard of diving is world class, and the crowd will be treated to some amazing displays of talent and skill,” he added. Friday’s semi finals will run from 10am-12noon, followed by the opening ceremony at 5pm and the finals from 6-9pm. Saturday’s semi finals will also run from 10am-12noon, with finals from 5- 10pm. Tickets for the two days are Dh40, or Dh 80 for VIP, and are available at the door at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex on the Dubai Bypass Road.