British Swimming names 29 divers on 2023-24 World Class Programme

Olympic champion Tom Daley is one of 29 divers named in British Swimming’s World Class Programme as the squad sets its sights on Paris 2024 after a record-breaking year.

Daley, who won gold in the 10m Men’s 10m Synchronised Platform at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics alongside Matty Lee, is back following a two-year break from the sport.

He is joined in the 12-strong podium programme by Scarlett Mew Jensen, Yasmin Harper and Kyle Kothari, who have all been moved up from the podium potential list following an impressive 2023.

Harper and Mew Jensen plus Andrea Spendolini Sirieix and Lois Toulson became the first British women to win diving medals at a World Championships as they picked up silvers in the 3m Synchronised and 10 Synchronised respectively in Fukuoka, Japan.

The team also won seven medals at the 2023 European Diving Championships (European Games).

New additions to the squad include European junior champions Oliver Heath and Tilly Brown, while Hannah Newbrook is also amongst the 17 athletes in the podium potential list.

Tim Jones, British Swimming’s Associate Performance Director, said he was confident that the squad could build on the impressive performances throughout this year going into Paris.

He said: “The athletes named onto the World Class Programme are presented with a unique opportunity to build on what they have learnt so far, whilst continuing to develop their skills in our world-class training environments.

“Those new to the programme will benefit not only from access to amazing facilities and staff, but also exposure to a group of highly successful and experienced elite athletes on the team. We hope that the competition opportunities we can provide over the coming months will allow the cohort to build towards next summer’s Olympic Games.

“Everyone at British Diving is now fully-focused on delivering the best possible medal haul in Paris, whilst continually ensuring that those on long-term plans have appropriate development opportunities throughout the year.”

Both Podium and Podium Potential programme tiers receive opportunities and targeted financial assistance from UK Sport through the World Class Performance Programme’s Athlete Performance Award (APA).

Athletes invited on to such world class pProgrammes are also eligible to benefit from competition and training camp opportunities throughout the season of their selection.

They also receive access to world-class sports science and sports medicine provision, in addition to comprehensive support from British Diving performance staff and national Institute of Sport programmes across the UK.