Dubai: British diving star Tom Daley will renew his 10-metre platform Olympic rivalry with the David Boudia of the United States and China’s Qiu Bo in the second leg of the Fina/NVC Diving World Series at Dubai’s Hamdan Sports Complex from March 20-22.
The 19-year-old, who won gold at the 2009 Fina World Championships and two golds at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, took bronze at the London 2012 Olympics behind gold medallist Boudia and silver medallist Bo.
Bo turned the tables on Boudia at the 2013 world championships in Barcelona, taking gold ahead of his rival, who took silver.
Daley was injured and finished sixth, but is now back to full fitness and keen to regain his place at the top of the podium.
“We are delighted to be welcoming the world’s best divers back to Dubai for the Fina/NVC Diving World Series,” said Ahmad Al Sharif, general secretary of Dubai Sports Council. “We were thrilled to witness an incredible display of diving in the last two Diving World Series events in Dubai, and, with another line-up featuring multiple world and Olympic champions, the stage is set for another superb event.”
Ahmad Al Falasi, President of the UAE Swimming Federation, added: “It is wonderful that we will again see the best divers here in Dubai, competing at one of the best aquatic venues in the world, the Hamdan Sports Complex. We encourage everyone to come out and witness another spectacular competition from March 20-22. The standard of diving is world-class, and the crowd will be treated to some amazing displays of talent and skill.”
The 2014 Fina/NVC Diving World Series event consists of six legs and kicks off in Beijing on March 14-16, then travels to Dubai, London, Moscow, Windsor (Canada) before the last leg in Monterrey (Mexico) on June 6-8.
Divers compete for points and prize money at each of the six events, in the four categories of three-metre springboard and 10-metre platform in both solo and synchronised diving.
There will be two sessions each day from 10am to noon.
The opening ceremony will be on March 20 at 5pm, followed by the finals from 6-8pm. The finals on March 21 and 22 will be from 5-7pm.
Tickets will be available at the door, priced Dh20 per day or Dh40 for three days, while VIP tickets cost Dh40 per day or Dh80 for three days.
Entry is free to children under the age of 12.
