Julio Maglione: High Diving World Cup participants are pleased with welcome given in Kazan. Part 4

The first edition of the FINA High Diving World Cup kicked off today in Kazan.

A press conference was held shortly before the FINA High Diving World Cup opening ceremony and was attended by President of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) Julio С. Maglione, FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu, Vice-President of the Russian Diving Federation and two-time Olympic diving champion Dmitry Sautin, 2013 world high diving champion Orlando Duque and Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan Khalil Shaikhutdinov.

Julio Maglione, who was first to take the floor, commended the high level of Kazan’s readiness for the High Diving World Cup.

“We are honoured to be here in Kazan and to host the first-ever High Diving World Cup. The tournament organisers have built a magnificent tower. FINA already hosted the World Championships in Barcelona, where high diving was contested, and now we have the World Cup. Kazan did a great job preparing for the World Cup. Everything meets the expectations and regulations that were put forward by FINA. Athletes are provided with a perfect environment, and they focus on nothing but their performance,” Mr. Maglione said to reporters and added that, as time goes by, high diving may be included in the Summer Olympic programme.

Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan, Khalil Shaikhutdinov, congratulated the participants on the start of the World Cup and said that this tournament is part of Kazan’s preparation for the 2015 FINA World Championships.

“I congratulate everyone on the start of the high diving competition. We are honoured that Kazan was awarded the right to host the World Cup. In 2015, high diving will be featured in the World Championships programme. We’ve met with coaches and competitors, and they are all happy with the host city. Kazan is ready to host the World Cup. I hope that the weather will not let us down. There were plenty of those who expressed eagerness to attend the competition and they were not only from Kazan, but also from other regions and countries,” said Khalil Shaikhutdinov.

Dmitry Sautin and Orlando Duque wished good luck to all the participants and expressed confidence that the World Cup will be fun to watch.

“Firstly, I would like to say thank you to the President of the Republic of Tatarstan for such a huge contribution to the staging of the High Diving World Cup in Kazan. Let’s watch beautiful dives and enjoy. The main thing is that I hope there will be no injuries!” the two-time Olympic champion said.

“I am happy to be here at the World Cup in Kazan. Today my dream has come true. Everything is great here. I am sure that the competition will be so much fun. Thanks to everyone who had contributed to the set-up of the World Cup. Enjoy watching us dive!” said Orlando Duque.

A total of five rounds for men and three for women will be held: on August 8, three dives will be made by all male athletes; Saturday, August 9, is reserved for the women’s competition; and August 10, Day 3, will include two final rounds for men.