Diving Australia (DA) has today announced that it has taken the difficult decision to withdraw the Australian Diving Team from the 2021 FINA Diving World Cup (the World Cup).

DA considers athlete health and safety our paramount priority and over the last few weeks, it has become clear that it would not be safe to send our athletes and officials to the World Cup. Japan is currently in the grip of a fourth wave of COVID-19, and we believe Tokyo will shortly re-enter a state of emergency.

We remain confident that the Olympics will be a safe event as both DA and the Australian Olympic Committee believe athletes will be vaccinated ahead of the Games. Vaccination has not been possible ahead of the World Cup.

We continue to engage FINA in dialogue regarding the Olympic qualification flowing from the World Cup. FINA has stated that a “fair competition is of utmost importance” and that the World Cup should be a “safe, secure and fair Olympic qualification event”.

It is our clear position, in light of the current circumstances, that a fair and safe Olympic qualification event is not possible at this time.