Daley sees ‘cool’ Dubai World-Series leg as ideal preparation

Sport360 staff 14:24 19/03/2014
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  • Stars are lined: Some of the world's best divers will descend on Dubai.

    World-class diving returns to the UAE tomorrow as the second round of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series 2014 kicks off in Dubai.

    Seventy competitors from thirteen countries have arrived in Dubai ready for the competition which takes place at the Hamdan Sports Complex this Thursday, Friday and Saturday 20-22 March 2014. The event will feature a star studded line-up including the holders of 11 current World Championship titles and 8 Olympic gold medals.

    The first round of the invitation-only competition was held in Beijing last weekend, and following the Dubai leg the series will move to London; then on to Moscow and Windsor, Canada before the final leg in Monterrey, Mexico in June.

    Speaking at a pre-event press conference at the venue today, Ahmed Al Falasi, President of the UAE Swimming Federation and Chairman of the Organising Committee, said: “We witnessed some spectacular diving here last year and are delighted to be welcoming the world’s best back again to what has become one of the city’s iconic landmarks – the Hamdan Sports Complex. The quality of the field is again outstanding and we are looking forward to seeing the very best divers in the world compete over the next three days.”

    Hessa Al Kous, of the Dubai Sports Council and Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee, added: “The legacy of hosting these events is that we have seen tremendous growth in the interest and participation in all aquatic disciplines in Dubai and the UAE. These events not only provide great entertainment for sports fans but inspire our children to become involved, and we hope that one day we will see divers from this region among the ranks of the spectacular field competing here this weekend. 

    “This series is great for keeping you focussed, the standard of competition is so high and it is great preparation for major events. And I love being in Dubai, this facility is really cool – it’s set up like a stadium so it’s like a diving concert,” said Team GB's Tom Daley. “My move to London has been great, I needed to freshen things up with my diving. I’m aiming for Rio but you need to focus on every event and keep working on improving."

    Wu Minxia ia also aiming for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, saying: “I have adjusted my training to concentrate on the synchro events, but will by trying for selection in both individual and synchro. My partnership with Shi Tingmao is going well, we understand each other”.

    An incredible 36 of the 42 medallists from the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona will be competing in Dubai, and after collecting all but one of the gold medals on offer in Barcelona, the Chinese team is undoubtedly the dominant force in world diving.

    However, with almost every minor medallist from the 2013 World Championships competing in Dubai they will be tested in every event.

    During the Opening Ceremony on Thursday 20 March, local diving club DuDive will present a short display demonstrating their expertise.

    Meanwhile, on Friday 21 March the UAE Swimming Federation will offer children the opportunity to compete in a series of fun 50m swimming races ‘Fast Fifties’ swum in a 25m format. The event will be held from 3pm- 4.30pm and is open to all beginner swimmers aged 8-12. The races will be in the following format: 50m freestyle, 50 backstroke and 4×50 freestyle relay.

    Tickets to catch all the action at the FINA/NVC Diving World Series will be available at the door at the Hamdan Sports Complex on Emirates Road. Tickets are 40dhs per day general entry, while entry is free for children under 12.

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