DIVERS BEGIN BEIJING COUNTDOWN IN MANCHESTER
The British Diving Championships in Manchester next month
will kick start a vital four months for Britain's divers as
National titles will not be the only thing at stake.
This year's Championships, from 15 to 17 December at Manchester
Aquatics Centre double up as a qualification event for the
World Championships in Melbourne next year.
Performances the diver's produce in Melbourne will define
their future in the sport as its gives them their first opportunity
to qualify Great Britain for the Beijing Olympics 2008.
National Performance Director for Diving, Steve Foley, emphasised
the importance of the British Championships.
"This years' event will provide athletes with their
chance to make the squad for Melbourne. Previously the emphasis
has been on performances in the finals whereas this year,
the focus will be as much on the preliminaries as it is for
the finals " explained Foley.
"At the Worlds, if you fail to make an impact in the
preliminary rounds then you don't get a second chance to progress
into the finals. I'm looking for consistency from the diver's
all the way through competition as this is vital for success."
Foley goes into the event with a very open mind.
"A lot of events are wide open, and for many of the
athletes who could win a place on the team, it will be their
first major championships should they qualify for the Worlds.
"There is additional pressure on the divers to perform.
The World Championships provide the first of two opportunities
for them to qualify Great Britain for the 2008 Beijing Olympics,
with the second chance not coming until February 2008."
said Foley.
The Aquatics Centre will be a familiar setting for many athletes
as it was host to the 2002 Commonwealth Games where Britain's
athletes amassed six medals, and has been the setting for
numerous domestic meets since.
"The British Championships will make fantastic watching,
and there will be a lot for me to think about afterwards,"
explained Foley.
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