Olympic Aquatics Centre Opens For Diving World Cup

Making A Splash! Olympic Aquatics Centre Opens

The Olympic Aquatics Centre hosted its first competitive diving today in east London as the FINA World Cup commenced in Startford.

British duo Nick Robinson-Baker and Chris Mears were amongst the pairs who sealed their place in the final of the springboard synchro in the 17,500 capacity arena. The duo have already qualified for the London Games, and despite finishing a lowly 10th, still reached the 12-team final.

After a nervy start in front of an impressively large crowd, the pair got over their anxiety to get through with a score of 381.88.

Former world champion Tom Daley and 2004 Olympic silver medallist Pete Waterfield will also compete together in an event featuring 44 nations.

A competitor is silhouetted in mid-flight during the Women's 10m Platform

Seventeen-year-old Daley pulled out of the British Gas National Cup last month with a thumb complaint and Waterfield has spent the past two months in convalescence with a side injury.

The occasion also gives Britain a final chance to secure four disciplines not yet qualified for Olympic places. These include the women's and men's 3m springboard and the women's 10m platform.

Although certain positions have already been secured for Great Britain at this summer's London Olympics, some divers will have to wait until the June national trials before they learn which of them will be selected for Team GB.

Team GB's Nick Robinson Baker (bottom) and Christopher Mears ascend in the Men's Synchronised 3m Springboard Preliminary

Kwanhoon Cho of Korea in action during the Men's 3m Springboard Synchro prelim at the Aquatics Centre

Tom Daley tweeted his excitement at the arena's opening:

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