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Divers visit UH before Athens

Olympians will train here through July 9

By Tony Hernandez
The Daily Cougar

Starting today through July 9, UH students will get the opportunity to see this year's Olympic diving hopefuls practice at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center's natatorium.

"It's an honor and a privilege to host them," UH head diving coach Jane Figueiredo said. 

"We're really excited," Figueiredo said about the significance of their visit to UH. "We've already got our own Olympic champs training here and to have the U.S. Olympic team makes it that much better (for UH). They really loved our facility and thought it would be a great location for the Olympic training camp. The fact that they're here (puts) the spotlight on us, so we want to make sure we put on a good show so they'll be happy with the facility."

Eleven members of the USA Diving squad will be on hand, including 2000 gold medal-winner Laura Wilkinson. A Woodlands native, Wilkinson became one of the more popular champions at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, after her climb from eighth to first on the platform in the finals -- with a broken foot. She outscored Chinese favorite Li Na and became the first woman to win an Olympic diving gold medal since 1976.

Several other divers who will be training at the CRWC might make a name for themselves as well. 

"Troy Dumais has a very good shot at a medal," Figueiredo said. Dumais has been one of the nation's top divers since the mid-1990s, and hopes to improve upon his performance in Sydney, where he placed fourth with brother Justin in the synchro springboard and sixth in the springboard.

This training camp will be one of the first times the entire diving squad will be together. Visitors who want to see their best and most intense performances may leave a little disappointed. Figueiredo said that while the divers will be practicing twice a day for more than a week, one of the major goals for the squad will be some bonding time essential for any team. 

The team will be at the natatorium from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m. every day.

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