Plymouth Life Centre braced for 'Tom Daley factor' surge in interest
The Life Centre is offering introduction to diving sessions this Summer to build on the Olympic-related interest in the sport
Last updated 25th Jul 2024
Plymouth's world-famous diving centre is bracing itself for a surge in interest - as all eyes turn to Paris for the Olympics.
It's the opening ceremony tomorrow and the city's Tom Daley will once again be competing - with the venue already having an eye on the 2028 Olympics too.
The famous diver was yesterday announced as one of Team GB's opening ceremony flagbearers for tomorrow night - along with Cornish Olympic rower Helen Glover
Life Centre Boss Rhys Jones says they're hosting a range of introduction sessions this summer to build on the likely interest in the sport, adding: "It's great that Tom's diving in Paris - that's fantastic and that link back with Plymouth is really strong.
"We also want to make sure the Olympics is an opportunity for us to open up the life centre and give more people a chance to try swimming and diving. It's one of those sports that not every city can offer and we want to find those next Olympians."
Rhys says the Life Centre is already working with local athletes who could make the squad in LA in four years time, saying: "We haven't got any Olympians this year but we've got some real up and coming hopefuls coming through for diving in particular. Some were really borderline, were really close to getting into Paris.
"Next time round we've got some real hopefuls, we've got a lot of success on the European circuit and national circuit. The next step now is for us to keep supporting those and keep investing and helping them."
Over the years they've been home to a number of medal-winners and ahead of the games in Paris there's been international teams using the facility - which attracts 1.5 million visits a year.
"We've also got some Malaysian athletes going to the Olympics who trained here and so it's not just our international divers and swimmers we have other countries coming here to train as well.
Those wanting a 'try diving' session need to fill out a form here