Meaghan Benfeito to be preselected for early nomination in women’s 10m individual
(June 7, 2021 – Ottawa) With the 2020 Olympics Games less than 50 days away, Diving Plongeon Canada is on the final stretch towards the selection of its athletes that will represent Canada in Tokyo.
The event for Canadian divers to claim their Olympic spots will be contested on an invitational basis and will not double as a national championship. In the interest of participant and public safety this competition will be held without spectators, and event staff will be kept to a minimum. Strict COVID related protocols will be enforced among all participants including proper physical distancing, face coverings, and regular testing.
The in-person event will occur from Tuesday, June 28th to Thursday, July 1st, at the Toronto Pan Am Sport Centre.
Event Schedule
| Tuesday, June 29th | Wednesday, June 30th | Thursday, July 1st |
| Women’s 3m – Preliminary Men’s 10m – Preliminary Women’s 10m – Preliminary *Men’s 3m – Preliminary | Women’s 3m – Semi-Final *Men’s 3m – Semi-Final Women’s 3m – Final *Men’s 3m – Final | Men’s 10m – Semi-Final Women’s 10m – Semi-Final Men’s 10m – Final Women’s 10m – Final |
Each day will run approximately from 12:30 pm to 6 pm.
*It is expected that Canada will learn if it has a quota spot in the men’s 3m by June 25th as a result of Thomas Ciprick’s 16th place finish in this event at the recent 2021 FINA Diving World Cup. The men’s 3m event will still take place at these trials even if an Olympic quota spot is not allocated to Canada.
Event Entries
The detailed list of participating athletes will be distributed the week of June 14tt to 18th.
Olympic Quota Spots
Through qualification at the 2019 FINA World Aquatic Championships and the 2021 FINA Diving World Cup, Canada has secured the following spots for the Olympics:
| Women’s Events | Olympic Nomination |
| 3m Synchro 10m Synchro 10m Individual (1) 10m Individual (2) 3m Individual (1) 3m Individual (2) | Jennifer Abel and Melissa Citrini- Beaulieu Meaghan Benfeito and Caeli McKay Meaghan Benfeito To be determined at trials To be determined at trials To be determined at trials |
| Men’s Events | Olympic Nomination |
| 10m Synchro 10m Individual (1) 10m Individual (2) 3m Individual (1)* | Vincent Riendeau and Nathan Zsombor-Murray To be determined at trials To be determined at trials To be determined at trials* |
All athletes who unlocked quota spots for Canada in the synchro events were pre-selected for nomination.
Meaghan Benfeito has been pre-selected for nomination in the 10m individual event and will not be competing in Toronto.
“The decision to pre-select Meghan was predicated on the disruption to the selection process caused by COVID shutdowns and her demonstrated dominance in the women’s 10m event,” says Diving Plongeon Canada chief technical officer, Mitch Geller. “Thanks to her long-term excellence in this event in Canada and her clear medal potential in Tokyo, the decision was made to pre-select her for nomination to the team.”
Media Presence
The event is set to be streamed online through Diving Plongeon Canada’s social media channels and through CBC sports. The competition will also be broadcast on CBC’s Road to the Olympic Games.
Due to strict COVID protocols, no on-site media will be permitted. Access to athletes will be made available on a virtual basis. High resolution photos, and competition footage will also be available through Diving Plongeon Canada.
For more information:
Jeff Feeney
Director, Events and Communications
Diving Plongeon Canada
(613) 668-9668