SOUTHEND will be home to two Olympic teams for the next six weeks as they prepare to head to Paris and perform on the world’s biggest stage.
In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic, divers from both the Malaysian and Australian diving teams will be training at the state-of-the-art facilities at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre.
The two teams, who will be vying to pick up medals during the Olympic Games, will be based in the city until August and a number of public sessions are taking place for the public to attend.
Back in November, the Australian synchronised diving team spent a week at the leisure centre, off Eastern Avenue, polishing their routine.
Bill Clark, senior diving coach at Southend Diving Club, is hoping it could inspire the next generation of youngsters to take to the boards.
He said: “We’re delighted as a club and for Southend. We’ve had a superb diving history in Southend. To get divers of this calibre is just incredible. It will be a big boost to the divers and coaches in the city and for the area as a whole. We’re over the moon.
“Its important to recognise that our world class facility doesn’t get a lot of publicity. Our facilities are amazing so its nice to get that publicity back up and running again with the fantastic divers coming. The facility was built prior to the London Olympics. We’ve held British championships and other competitions here.
“Some of the best divers in the Olympics are going to be here now.”
The diving club hosts sessions for children and teenagers, starting from seven to 11-years-old and Mr Clark is hoping the divers could encourage more youngsters to get involved.
He added: “We scout quite a few students from local schools.
“We pick out children that potentially could do well. We’ve been doing that for 20 years in Southend.
“We seemed to be flying under the radar and hopefully this will bring more publicity."
Matt Dent, councillor for culture, tourism and business, said: “We are thrilled to welcome both the Malaysian and Australian Olympic diving teams here in our city.
“Thanks to our state-of-the-art diving pool at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre we are able to play a small part in the athletes’ journey to the Paris Olympics.”
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