SMITH STEPS DOWN FROM THE PLATFORM
Olympic diver Karen Smith has announced her retirement from
the sport after a career spanning nearly 15 years.
The announcement, however, does not stop Karen's involvement
in diving, as she will continue her role as the sport's National
Development Officer.
"I just feel that it's the right time to retire,"
she admitted. "I've really enjoyed competing internationally,
but my priorities are changing and I'm more focussed on my
job. I just can't balance both."
Karen started diving at the age of 15 after she was spotted
at her local pool by coach Bill Clark. The former gymnast
took to the pool with the Southend-on-Sea diving club and
has been at the forefront of moving the sport forwards, competing
at the Sydney Olympics, two Commonwealth Games and two World
Championships.
She was the first British female on the tower and the first
to complete the back three-and-a-half somersault as well as
the two-and-a-half somersault with a one-and-a-half twist.
The talented diver and former national champion was an all-rounder,
excelling on all boards until the demands of international
competition forced her to concentrate on the 10m Platform
in both individual and synchro events with partners Sally
Freeman and, more recently, Monique McCarroll.
"I was surprised to qualify for the Olympics on the
3m Springboard as it was my weaker event," admitted Karen.
"After Sydney I made the decision to concentrate on the
Tower as it's the better board for me."
Among her best achievements in the sport, Karen lists competing
at the Sydney Olympics, finishing seventh at the World Cup
and taking fourth place at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
She was also the British record holder on the 10m Platform
from 2002 until this year, when British team mate Tonia Couch
took the title.
Karen is keen to encourage new athletes into the sport and
believes her story can help motivate others who don't have
access to full diving facilities.
"There's no need to think that you can't be successful
in diving without facilities on your doorstep," she said.
"I'm a 10m specialist and yet there's no 10m facility
within a 50 mile radius of where I live.
"Just because the facilities aren't near you doesn't
mean you can't achieve in the sport. I didn't have easy access
to a 10m Platform and yet I've been to the Olympics, Commonwealth
Games, World and European Championships and have been ranked
with top female divers."
Karen plans to continue to help grow the sport in her role
as National Development Officer.
"My focus now is on developing initiatives ahead of
2012, putting structures in place for coaches and clubs,"
she said. "I'm also keen to help at the elite level where
I can, getting involved with the younger divers coming through
and putting something back into the sport,"
National performance director Steve Foley echoed Karen's
plans.
"It's great that Karen's still involved in diving,"
he said. "People really like and respect her and we would
like her to stay involved at the elite end - as a motivational
role model and helping on junior camps, if her time permits
it.
"She is a great ambassador for the sport and will be
missed, Along with Jane Smith, she has helped raise the standard
of women's diving in this country.
"She has been a national champion numerous times and
is one of the most consistent divers on both the national
and international circuits.
"It's really important to keep our top divers involved
in the sport. Athletes like Karen are the heroes of the young
divers coming through the system."
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