High Diving World Cup Takes Off in Bahrain with a Splash of Spectacle

Schedule

The competition will officially begin today and will run until Sunday, promising fans a weekend of exciting performances by the world’s best high divers.

The event schedule is as follows:

21-22 September

• Men’s 27m (Round 1 & 2): 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM • Women’s 20m (Round 1 & 2): 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM • Men’s 27m (Round 3 & 4): 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

• Women’s 20m (Round 3 & 4): 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM The weekend will feature over 40 top athletes from around the world, including both male and female competitors, vying for glory as they dive from heights that reach speeds of up to 60 km/h upon entry into the water.

A Show of Leadership and Ambition

During the opening ceremony, Fares Mustafa Al Kooheji, Secretary General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, delivered an inspiring speech in which he praised the visionary leadership of Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

“Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad has made it clear that Bahrain will not rest on its laurels, even after our successes in the Paris Olympics. This is true leadership.”, Al Kooheji said.

He further emphasized that the World Cup event was made possible through the support of various ministries and authorities in Bahrain, thanking them for their contributions.

Al Kooheji also extended his congratulations to the McLaren F1 team on their recent wins and wished them success in the Singapore race and the 2024 season.

“We are very fortunate to host some of the world’s best high diving athletes here in Bahrain. It’s the Bahraini way to always strive for improvement”, he added.

Al Kooheji shared an intriguing fact about high diving, noting, “From a height of 27 meters, divers can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h as they enter the water, with very little room for error. It’s a remarkable feat of athleticism”.

A Global Stage for High Diving

Captain Husain Al Musallam, speaking on behalf of the World Aquatics family, expressed his excitement about the event, saying, “This is a historic moment for Bahrain, as it’s the first time the Kingdom has hosted a World Aquatics event. More than 40 of the world’s top high diving athletes are here in Bahrain, and I’m eager to see them compete over the next few days”.

Al Musallam praised the meticulous preparation that went into the event, recognizing the efforts of the Bahrain Olympic Committee and Gulf Finance House for creating a world-class venue.

“Fans around the world will marvel not only at the incredible talent of the divers but also at the beautiful backdrop Bahrain offers”, he said.

Prestigious event

Speaking exclusively to Hussain AlMaskati of TDT, Al Kooheji further elaborated on Bahrain’s involvement in high diving, stating, “High Diving is no stranger to Bahrain. We may not have competed from the heights of 27 meters before—heights that are actually illegal in some countries—but we are excited to host such a prestigious event”.

He also revealed the careful planning behind scheduling the event. “We intentionally scheduled this competition at the end of September to avoid conflicts with other major high diving events, such as the Red Bull Cliff Diving series. We are lucky to have 40 of the best divers in the world with us today”.

Looking Ahead As the opening ceremony concluded in spectacular fashion, all eyes now turn to the tournament itself, where high divers from across the globe will show their athleticism in a world-class competition. Bahrain is ready to witness history unfold as it hosts the world’s most elite divers in what promises to be a weekend of unforgettable performances.