Southend divers Karen Smith and Tracey Richardson have both been called up for the British squad to contest the World Championships in Spain next month.

They are among the 11-strong squad announced by British Diving who will be battling for medals at the FINA event in Barcelona.

And the duo's coach Bill Clark is delighted that the duo will be taking on the best on the planet between July 13 and 20.

"I'm absolutely delighted for them but it's going to be really tough," said Clark, who coaches the diving section at Southend Swimming Club.

"They are of the right standard but they have to do it at that level of competition.

"But both girls are diving well and so we are optimistic."

Clark explained that the World Championships are used as qualifiers for the Olympic Games, and the divers would be looking to be among the top 12 individual and top three synchro competitors.

If they fail to make the grade the British divers have another chance of qualifying in December, before the World Cup in February becomes the final opportunity to make Athens next summer.

But national performance director Steve Foley is in an upbeat mood following selection trials for the World Championships at Manchester at the weekend.

"Of all the national championships I've been to in this country, what I saw this weekend was by far the greatest standard," he said.

"It's all coming good and bodes well for the Worlds and the Olympics."

Ramsden Heath's Smith, 27, has been selected for the 10m platform synchro event where she will team up with Edinburgh diver Monique McCarroll.

Richardson, from Hornchurch, will compete on the 3m springboard in Spain.

Published Wednesday, June 4, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo