Mexican Swimming Federation President, Mr. Kiril Todorov, welcomed and thanked FINA for its trust in the country to host this world-class event for top athletes.

Mr. Todorov also remembered the tradition of diving and the importance of this Olympic sport for the country, because of the number of Olympic medals it has brought to Mexico. At London 2012 Olympic Games, Mexico won 43% of the medals at stake in diving including two silver and one bronze medals.

"With more than 200 National Federations affiliated to FINA, it is not easy to organise and be prepared to host such a complex event. It's an honour to be trusted by FINA. The medals that the Mexican delegation won in the past definitively motivates us to offer a competitive platform for our divers to prepare for the Worlds in front of the home crowd.”

For athletes of the Americas this last step in Merida brings, beyond the competition itself, a rare chance to practice before the Pan American Games in Toronto in July, and like the others, the FINA World Championships in Kazan this summer.

Mexican Paola Espinosa, bronze medal in the Olympics in Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012 said:

"The Mexican team is in Merida to make the most of this unique opportunity to compete in a high-level event to be ready for the Pan American Games and the World Championships. These FINA events are very important for us and also for our sport. It gives the opportunity for children to be closer to the sport and encourage the practice”

 


Mexico Team in Merida. Photo credit: Mexican Swimming Federation

 

After five legs the overall ranking of the competition shows that the British Jack Laugher is on top with 71 points, followed closely by the German Patrick Hausding (62) and the Chinese Yuan Cao (56). Among women, the Chinese Shi Tingmao totals 72 points and is in front of Canadian Jennifer Abel (66) and compatriot Zi He (50).

The chairman of the Technical Diving Committee, Kathy Seaman, highlighted the importance of the FINA / NVC Diving World Series for the promotion and diffusion of the sport.

 

“Our intention is to offer a well-organised and strong event which maximises the sport's exposure to be popular with the younger generation. We know that it is a complex event in terms of logistics, the competition arenas are a challenge to be considered, but I think we are succeeding because athletes love to participate.” said Seaman.