photo: Jen Lowery/USA Diving
Diving’s most talented young athletes are descending upon Tucson the first week of September to compete in the 18th FINA World Junior Diving Championships.
Representing nearly 40 countries, more than 200 divers ranging in age from 14-18 will compete for bronze, silver and gold in their respective events - including synchronized diving, platform and springboard.
“About 40-50 percent of the kids you will see here diving will be on their Olympic teams in 2012,” said Michele Mitchell, University of Arizona diving coach and two-time Olympic silver medalist.
These Olympic hopefuls have been training for years to get to this caliber, some starting their diving training as young as 5, said Mitchell, one of the event’s organizers.
Although divers seem to effortlessly leap from the platform and slice through the water, it’s not that simple.
“Diving is a very athletic sport, the whole idea is to make it look easy, that doesn’t mean it is easy,” Mitchell said. “It’s like watching a great ballerina that does a great performance and she makes it look so simple to do all the turns and jumps.” n
The FINA World Junior Diving Championships take place Sept. 1-Sept. 6, at UA’s Hillenbrand Aquatic Center, 1827 E. Enke Dr. Preliminary events last all morning and afternoon with finals starting around 4 p.m. each day. Tickets cost $7-$10 and can be purchased at the gate. For more information and a schedule of events click on: 2010juniorworlddiving.com.
