The world’s best divers arrived in Dubai on Monday ahead of the second leg of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series 2014 which is being held at the Hamdan Sports Complex on March 20-22.
The divers flew in from Beijing after competing in the first round of the series last weekend. Following the event in Dubai the competition heads to London, Moscow, and Windsor, Canada before the final leg in Monterrey, Mexico in June.
Great Britain’s Tom Daley (below), who clinched a bronze in China, said: “Beijing was good, I’m very excited and looking forward to the competition here. It’s good to be back in Dubai”.
Canada’s women’s 10m synchro silver medallists, Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion (below) are looking to go one better in the UAE.
“Beijing went well, we are looking forward to competing here again” said Benfeito and Filion at Dubai International Airport this morning.
With such talent across the entire field, the competition for gold will be tough in every event this weekend in Dubai, with the dominant Chinese under constant threat of a breakthrough performance from any one of the other competitors.
“We are very excited about welcoming the competitors and teams back to Dubai for the FINA/NVC Diving World Series 2014. We are delighted to see such a strong line-up which is guaranteed to delight the crowds” said Dr Ahmad Saad Al Sharif, General Secretary of the Dubai Sports Council.
“The quality of the competition is world class and we are hoping that sports fans in Dubai will come out in force to enjoy the spectacle” said Ahmed Al Falasi, President of the UAE Swimming Federation and chairman of the Organising Committee.
The FINA/NVC Diving World Series event runs over three days, starting with the 10m platform synchro finals on Thursday 20 March from 10-12noon, followed by the opening ceremony at 5pm and 3m springboard synchro finals from 6-8pm.
Friday’s 3m individual springboard semi-finals session runs from 10-12noon, with the finals from 5-7pm. The final day of competition on Saturday 22 March sees the 10m platform semi-finals from 10-12noon, followed by the finals from 5-7pm.
Event organisers are also happy to announce the involvement of local children and aspiring diving stars in the event. During the Opening Ceremony on Thursday 20 March, local diving club DuDive will present a short display demonstrating their expertise.
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. The program will also run on Saturday 22 March in the following format: 50m breaststroke, 50 butterfly and 4×50 IM relay.
Registration can be done on the day or in advance to [email protected]. Prior to both afternoon sessions on Friday and Saturday at 4.40pm DuDive Members will again present a short program highlighting their training routines and expertise for the audience.
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 with children under 12 admitted free.
