Egypt and South Africa qualified spots to compete at the Olympics in diving. With the confirmation that no African diving championships will be held FINA has reassign the quotas to the best African nations at the 2015 World Aquatic Championships. The top ranked African nation in each of the individual events was given a quota to compete. The diving portion of the World Aquatics Championship was held in Kazan, Russia from July 24th to August 2nd 2015.
The men’s events were a formality as Egypt was the only African nation to send athletes. In the men’s 3m springboard it was Mohab El-Kordy whom defeated his compatriot Emadeldin Abdellatif by finishing with a score of 320.25. In the men’s 10m platform Youssef Ezzat finished ahead of El-Kordy to secure a spot for Egypt by finishing with a score of 282.50.
The women’s events had a bit more competition as South Africa also sent divers to compete. They were rewarded with a quota spot in women’s 3m springboard as Micaela Bouter finished ahead of her compatriot Julia Vincent and the two Egyptians with a score of 258.30. Egypt was able to get a third quota in women’s 10m platform where Maha Abdelsalem finished ahead of South Africa’s Jaimee Gundry with a score of 280.75.
While the level in diving in Africa is a bit low I think it is important that they maintain their continental quota even if they did not hold a championship. African nations will get a second opportunity to qualify to the Olympics at the Diving World Cup which is scheduled to be held in 2016.
Quotas by Nation
- Egypt – 3
- South Africa – 1
References
- OmegaTiming. 16th FINA World Championships Diving Results. Access on October 23 2015.
Road to the Olympics 