INJURY FORCES ALLY TO WITHDRAW FROM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
British diver Tony Ally has been forced to withdraw from
this year's FINA World Championships in Melbourne after rupturing
the cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The 33-year-old City of Sheffield diver suffered the injury
while giving a demonstration to a group of young divers at
the weekend and now faces the long road to recovery in time
for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
"I'm gutted to miss out on Melbourne but I'm committed
to making sure I'm back for the end of the season to give
myself a shot at Beijing," said Ally.
"I was giving a demonstration on a trampoline and it
just went. It was hard to take but I'm going to get it sorted
in time for 2008. I've got the strength of body and mind to
get over this set back.
"Recuperation could take up to six months but I've got
a great team behind me in Sheffield and they'll get me back
fit and healthy as soon as possible."
Ally is currently undergoing tests to assess the extent of
the damage caused and the course of action needed to repair
the knee.
"We're not sure yet if surgery is going to be required.
We'll find out more this week but obviously I'm going to be
in no shape to compete in Melbourne," added Ally.
"It's a real shame because Nick Robinson-Baker and I
have been diving so well together this year off the 3m. We
make a great team and it's a real blow we're not going to
be able to compete."
Ally's withdrawal means a World Championship squad place
for 19-year-old Ben Swain from City of Sheffield.
British Diving National Performance Director Steve Foley
recognises the void left by losing someone as experienced
as Ally will be hard to fill.
"It's a real blow to Tony, Nick and the team. They've
looked so good together," explained Foley.
"Ben will come in now for Tony and the plus there is
that Ben and Nick have dived together before but I'm devastated
for Tony and wish him all the best as he works to get back
to full fitness."
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