SOME of the world’s best divers have hailed the “world-class” diving centre at Southend’s Garon Park as the city becomes a “home away from home” as part of their gruelling Olympic training.
Athletes from Australia’s Olympic synchronised diving team have spent this week at the leisure centre, off Eastern Avenue, polishing their routine as they prepare to go for gold at Paris 2024.
Since arriving on Saturday, the team and their coaches have been exploring the city while staying at the airport Holiday Inn and were full of praise for the city’s big attractions, including Adventure Island and Southend Pier.
The team, made up of Maddison Keeney, Domonic Bedggood, Cassiel Rousseau and Anabelle Smith, could use Southend as their base prior to the Olympic games and were quick to praise the facilities.
Anabelle, 30, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth games three-metre synchronised springboard champion, said: “Southend is our home away from home.
“The facilities are world-class, the platforms are so spacious, which is giving us a training boost for the games and something we lack in Australia. And there’s a real community spirit here, which is amazing.
“Because lots of families are coming down to use the pool, it’s giving us the perfect opportunity to inspire the next generation of Southend divers to one day compete for gold.”
Cassiel, 22, Australia’s first ten-metre platform world champion, added: “Coming to Southend is really exciting because this is where Tom Daley, one of my idols, practised for London 2012, and now I get to be here.”
The team’s performance director is triple Olympian Steve Foley, who competed at the 1976 Montréal, 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles games.
He said: “Because Garons is so ideal for our athletes, this could be our base for five days in July next year.
“The response from the guys about Southend has been incredibly positive and the wide boards really appeal to them.
“With it having a family feel, it’s giving us the opportunity to continue our mission to get more people involved with diving.”
Shân Veasey, head diving coach at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, insisted the team will always be welcome and hopes they can inspire the next generation of divers from Southend.
She said: “The team visit has been beneficial because it’s made the kids feel even more inspired and determined to one day become an Olympian.
“I wish the guys all the best in Paris.”
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