Tom gutted at missing Mexico World Series
TOM DALEY admitted to being disappointed at being denied the chance of competing for a gold medal at this weekend's final FINA World Series tournament, staged in Mexico City.
Plymouth's diving superstar had been looking forward to rounding off the four-event competition on April 25/26 bidding to gain the gold he so nearly grabbed in Sheffield last weekend.
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However, the 14-year-old's hopes of improving a sequence which has seen him win bronze and silver medals in the series' second and third legs, respectively, have been dashed due to an official hiccup.
Daley, who has been struggling with a sore back over the past few weeks, will not now go because the Great Britain physiotherapist has been denied a visa to enter Mexico.
"I'm not going to Mexico because my physio Gareth, who is from Zimbabwe, has not been able to get a visa," said Daley.
"My back is a lot better and I've been getting loads of treatment, but I need to stay on top of things with stretching and treatment.
"And, because of that, I would need my physio there with me.
"It's very disappointing, of course, as it would have been nice to have competed in all four meetings.
"But I've had a terrific series – I have won a silver and bronze medal against the best divers in the world and come close to winning the gold medal in front of my home fans at Sheffield."
So, instead of travelling with the Great Britain diving squad yesterday, the ultra-talented teenager will head off to Florida with his Plymouth Diving club team-mates, Tonia Couch and Brooke Graddon, this Thursday.
The city trio will spend 10 days preparing for next month's open-water grand prix competition at Fort Lauderdale (May 7-10) at a training camp at Coral Springs.
"This year's World Championships in Rome (in July) are open water, so this kind of competition will be very beneficial," said Daley.
"So, although it would have been good to compete in the Worlds in Mexico, going to a training camp in Florida obviously makes sense, too."
Daley had displayed few signs of the injury on Sunday when he claimed silver in a closely-fought men's platform final in the third round of the World series in Sheffield.
Daley attracted 10s from the judges for four of his six dives to record a personal-best score of 540.85, although it was still not enough to win gold as China's Liang Huo edged him out by only 0.60 points.
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by Kev, Midlands
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 6:15AM
“Thank you Brian Babbacombe and John Christchurch for your input, you are obviously up to speed with his educational background and you have put my concerns to rest.”
by George, Sedgemoor
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 11:23PM
“Dear 42
Your confusing formal English with a colloquialism but you can argue about semantics all day. The Herald had it right. By the way, 'bitterley' is another word that doesn't exist. But never mind, we know what the article was meant to convey. Life is too short for this argument.”
by John, Christchurch
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 10:47PM
“Shame he won't be in Mexico but I'm sure he will benefit from extra preparation for the World Championships. His school work is not neglected.”
by 42, Inside moby dick
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 9:29PM
“Dear george
So what do fishermen say when they take the insides out fish
"Oh I am bitterley disappointed!"”
by George, sedgemoor
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 9:21PM
“Plymouth Herald's headline was appropriate. Look up gutted in the Oxford Dictionary of English.
Gutted, an adjective meaning bitterly disappointed or upset. No mention of entrails. Tom was gutted, on his present form he might have been in line for a gold.”