GOLDEN BOY MITCHAM LEADS STRONG DIVING CONTINGENT FOR DELHI

Commonwealth Games, July 9: Beijing Olympic champion Matthew Mitcham will spearhead a talented team of divers at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi this October, following the announcement of a 12-strong Australian diving team in Perth today.

Reigning Commonwealth Games champions Sharleen Stratton (QLD) and Briony Cole (VIC) will be chasing back-to-back gold medals in the 3m springboard synchro event in Delhi.

Twenty-seven year-old Cole, who combined with Melissa Wu at the Beijing Olympics to win a silver medal (10m platform synchro), has also been touted as a medal hope in the 3m springboard and 10m platform synchro events.

Stratton, 22, who won silver in the 1m springboard and finished fifth in the 3m springboard in Melbourne has also been selected to compete in these events in Delhi.

Alexandra Croak (NSW) and Beijing Olympic silver medallist Melissa Wu (NSW) will be aiming for the top position on the podium in Delhi, following their silver medal winning performance in the 10m platform synchro event in Melbourne.

Croak has the unique distinction of being the only Australian athlete to medal in two different sports at the Commonwealth Games. In Manchester 2002, Croak won gymnastics gold for Australia in the women's team competition and added a silver medal on vault.

Her selection for her third Commonwealth Games was a welcome birthday present for Croak who turned 26 today. Forced to withdraw from this week's selection trials with a back injury, Croak has also been selected to compete in the 10m platform event.

Matthew Mitcham (NSW), who rose to fame following his brilliant 10m platform gold medal winning performance in Beijing, will be chasing his first Commonwealth Games medal in Delhi.

In Melbourne, the 22-year-old placed fourth in the 3m springboard and 3m springboard synchro events, and fifth in the 1m springboard and 10m platform events.

"I was very happy with my form throughout these trials," said Mitcham. "I was a bit nervous going into the trials but finished strongly yesterday in my favourite 10m platform event and I'm very happy to be in the team."

Scott Robertson (VIC) will be making his second Games appearance, the 23-year-old placing seventh in the 1m springboard, and fourth in the 3m springboard synchro in Melbourne.

Victorian James O'Connor, selected to compete in the 10m platform event, is the youngest member of the team at age 15 and will make his Commonwealth Games debut alongside a bunch of fresh faces including Anabelle Smith (VIC), Olivia Wright (NSW), Jaele Patrick (VIC), Ethan Warren (QLD) and Grant Nel (VIC).

Diving has been on the competition program at every Commonwealth Games since 1930. Australia has enjoyed plenty of success since then, securing 82 medals with 30 gold, 27 silver and 25 bronze.

At Melbourne 2006, Australia won five gold medals courtesy of Matt Helm (men's 10m platform), Loudy Tourky (women's 10m platform), women's synchro 3m springboard, men's and women's synchro 10m platform.

ACGA Chief Executive Officer Perry Crosswhite said there were high expectations for the Australian diving team.

"Our divers have led the medal count at recent games and given the calibre of divers selected in this team we hope they will be able to achieve a similar result in Delhi," Crosswhite said.

Diving Australia High Performance Manager Graeme Rose said that although there are a number of new faces in the team, it will be one of the best diving line ups to represent Australia in a Commonwealth Games campaign.

"Australia will face tough opposition from Canada, England and Malaysia, however this team is one of our strongest teams to represent Australia at a Commonwealth Games," Rose said.

"The team is a nice blend of experience and youth and we're expecting to do quite well."

The Delhi 2010 diving competition will be held from 10 - 13 October at the Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Aquatics Complex.

Ten diving events will be held over the four day competition including 1m springboard, 3m springboard, 10m platform, 3m springboard synchro and 10m platform synchro.

2010 Australian Commonwealth Games diving team

*Subject to fitness test

Photo description: Back Row, Grant Nel Vic,James Connor Vic,Scott Robertson NSW,Ethan Warren Qld, Front row:Matthew Mitcham NSW,Jaele Patrick Vic, Olivia Wright NSW, Melissa Wu NSW,Anabelle Smith Vic, Sharleen Stratton Qld, Briony Cole Vic.

Press Release issued by ACGA