Medallists from the Olympic Games and World Championships set to compete at the Montreal Olympic Park Sports Centre from February 28th to March 1st
Montreal, February 27th, 2020 – Five months before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it is in Montreal that the world’s most talented divers will begin their season with the FINA/CNSG Diving World Series. A total of 71 athletes representing 12 of the world’s diving powerhouses will perform their best artistic and athletic exploits to earn a spot on the podium and a chance to ascend the world rankings.
“The City of Montreal is pleased to welcome the FINA Diving World Series for a third year. Having a healthy and active lifestyle are a priority for our administration, and therefore, we actively contribute to sports organizations and sporting events each year. I invite all Montrealers to come out and cheer for the members of the Canadian diving team during this international event and wish good luck to all athletes”, says the Mayor of Montréal, Mme Valérie Plante.
This week’s competition features fourteen medallists from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and 22 medallists from the Gwangju 2019 World Championships who will be showcasing their talents in ten events. Amongst them are Olympic champions Jack Laugher (GBR) and David Boudia (USA), as well as world champions Tom Daley (GBR), Maddison Keeney (AUS) and Evgenii Kuznetsov (RUS). Olympic medallists Jennifer Abel (CAN), Meaghan Benfeito (CAN), Paola Espinosa (MEX) and Pandelela Pamg (MAS) are also not to be missed.
With many finals scheduled every day, the competition format promises to please the crowds. The eight Olympic events are scheduled, in addition to the popular mixed synchronized diving events. Canadian high diver Lysanne Richard will also be executing a dive from the brand new 20m platform to kick-off the evening session each day.
“The 2020 edition of this renowned event will be especially exciting, since many athletes who are preparing for the upcoming Olympics are expected to be refining their skills at the top of their game,” said Penny Joyce, Chief Operating Officer at Diving Plongeon Canada. “The Diving World Series will offer an Olympic preview to diving fans in Montreal and represents a fantastic opportunity for them to see some of Canada’s Olympic hopefuls in action just a few months before they leave for Tokyo.”
In addition to series sponsors China National Sports Group (CNSG), Nongfu Springs and Omega Timing, the Canadian stop of the FINA Diving World Series is supported by the City of Montreal, Tourisme Montréal, the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada, 1 Square Phillips and Speedo. The event is set to be hosted at the Olympic Park Sports Centre until 2021.
About the Canadian diving team
Last season, Canada won 16 medals on the FINA/CNSG Diving World Series, including 9 bronze, 6 silver and 1 gold.
In Montreal, the Canadian Team will be comprised of Jennifer Abel (Laval, QC | 3m, 3m synchro, mixed 3m), Meaghan Benfeito (Montreal, QC | 10m, 10m synchro), Mélissa Citrini-Beaulieu (St-Constant, QC | 3m synchro), Philippe Gagné (Ville Mont-Royal | 3m, 3m synchro), François Imbeau-Dulac (St-Lazare, QC | 3m, 3m synchro, mixed 3m), Caeli McKay (Calgary, AB | 10m, 10m synchro, mixed 10m), Vincent Riendeau (Calgary, AB | 10m, 10m synchro, mixed 10m) and Nathan Zsombor-Murray (Pointe-Claire, QC | 10m, 10m synchro).
About the 2020 FINA/CNSG Diving World Series
Since 2007, the FINA Diving World Series has been the premier international circuit for diving with stops in different cities around the world. In 2020, the Diving World Series is featured in Montreal (CAN) Kazan (RUS) and London (GBR). For more information, please visit: www.diving.ca/worldseries or www.fina.org
Tickets: Tickets are still available and may be purchased online at www.diving.ca/worldseries. Tickets range from $12 to $25 per day. Special rates are available for the three-day passes as well as for tickets for children 12 and under.
Broadcast: In Canada, the event will be webcast by CBC and Radio-Canada, as well as on CBC’s Road to the Olympic Games. It will also be broadcast later this spring on RDS.
ABOUT DIVING PLONGEON CANADA
Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC) was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization to promote the growth and awareness of the sport in this country. As a member of FINA, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, DPC contributes to the development of globally accepted standards of excellence in diving and supports the rules and regulations of international competition. Representing nine provincial diving associations, 67 local diving clubs and close to 4,000 high-performance athletes, DPC shares a national commitment to advance the art and sport of diving and to position Canada as the number one diving nation of the world. For information, visit diving.ca.
For more information:
Maelle Dancause
Manager, Communications
Diving Plongeon Canada
514-475-4540 | maelle@diving.ca