Courtesy: World Aquatics
The World Aquatics Diving World Cup 2024 series will visit three sporting hubs over three months in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Diving World Cup 2024 will comprise three events, culminating in a Super Final in Xi’an, China. The World Aquatics Diving World Cup 2024 event schedule:
- Montreal (CAN) – February 29 – March 3
- Berlin (GER) – March 21-24
- Xi’an (CHN) – April 19-21 – Super Final
The Diving World Cup 2024 tour commences in Montreal, Canada, at the iconic Parc Olympique, in continuous use since the 1976 Olympic Games. With over 20 hosted World Aquatics events, including 10 Diving Grand Prix events, and championships like the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in 2022 and the Diving World Cup in 2023, Montreal is a cherished venue for divers and fans alike.
Canadian diver Caeli McKay commented, “Montreal holds a special place in the hearts of divers worldwide. I can’t wait to have them all back competing in my home pool.”
Following Montreal, the tour crosses the Atlantic to Europe, with Berlin set to host its third-consecutive Diving World Cup event. Host of the 1936 Olympic Games, this event marks the 30th World Aquatics event held in the German capital.
With a legacy of also 25 Diving Grand Prix events in Germany, including an impressive run of 20 consecutive editions (2001-2020), the country stands as a cornerstone in global diving history.
“Berlin’s rich diving heritage creates an exceptional atmosphere,” said German diver Moritz Wesemann. “This brings out the best in all the divers, not just the German team, though we do always love competing in our home pool.”
The Diving World Cup then concludes in Xi’an, China, with the highly-anticipated Super Final. Serving as the opener for the 2023 season, Xi’an earned acclaim for its flawless event execution and vibrant stadium turnout.
The city’s cultural offerings provided an enriching experience for athletes, blending seamlessly with its status as the capital of the Shaanxi Province and the eastern end of the Silk Road. Notably, Xi’an is a hub for China’s dominant international diving team and has also previously hosted three Diving Grand Prix events.
Hearing the news, Chen Yuxi of China remarked, “Competing in front of our home crowd is an unparalleled honour. The city of Xi’an will be buzzing with diving excitement once again.”
Super Final: Top Athletes Vying for Coveted Spots
For the pinnacle event of the World Aquatics Diving World Cup season, individual divers, synchronized pairs, and teams will secure berths in the Xi’an Super Final based on their performances in the first two Diving World Cup events in Montreal and Berlin. The Super Final will feature the top 18 athletes in individual events and the top eight in synchronized and team events.
Yang Hao said, “The Super Final promises fierce competition and showcases the world’s best divers.”
Using What Worked in 2023 | World Aquatics Diving World Cup Event Competition System
The Diving World Cup 2024 tour will largely adhere to the well-received competition format introduced at this year’s World Cup.
The first two tour stops and the Super Final will all employ a preliminary-final model for individual events, while the synchronized and team competitions will be run as straight finals.
Thinking Athlete-First | Larger World Cup Fields, Less High-Impact Competitive Dives
This revised competition system allows for a broader field of competing athletes and mitigates the physical toll on divers.
Given the intense nature of high-impact competitive dives, particularly from a 10-meter platform where divers hit the water repeatedly at speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour, the first two tour stops in Montreal and Berlin will be four-day events.
The Super Final will maintain a three-day competition programme, as this event features a condensed field of competing divers.
Diving World Cup 2024 | Ideal Competition Season, Big Athlete Paydays
The Diving World Cup 2024 season, strategically positioned between the World Aquatics Championships in Doha (February 2-18, 2024) and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (July 26 – August 11), is designed to optimize athlete preparation for these significant upcoming championships. With a substantial USD 1.172 million prize pool (USD 108,000 for each of the first tour stops, USD 956,000 for the Super Final) the tour is poised to draw top-tier talent across the globe.
Bashar Al-Saffar, Chair of the World Aquatics Technical Diving Committee, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The upcoming diving season promises an exhilarating calendar of events. From the vibrant cities of Montreal, Berlin, and Xi’an hosting the Diving World Cups, to the prestigious World Aquatics Championships in Doha and the much-anticipated Paris 2024 Games, this year is set to be a pinnacle in the history of diving.
“Our two primary focuses this year were on enhancing the appeal of our events for hosts and athletes alike,” added Al-Saffar. “We are delivering on that promise, and I am eager for our athlete community to discover what awaits them in 2024.”