June 29, 2004

It’s a long way to Athens, Greece, but diving fans who can’t make the trip to the Summer Olympics can see their heroes up close at the University of Houston’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC).

Members of the United States Olympic Diving Team will hold training camp from 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, through July 9 in the CRWC Natatorium. All practice sessions are free and open to the public, who will be allowed to sit in the Natatorium’s upper spectator seating.

While fans will enjoy the rare opportunity to witness an Olympic training camp, the athletes themselves are pleased to have a state-of-the-art facility at their disposal.

Houston-area Olympic gold medalist Laura Wilkinson is no stranger to CRWC. Having practiced there before, she feels it’s a perfect place to hold this important training camp, particularly with the recent unpredictable weather.

“The best part for us about training at UH is having an indoor training facility so close,” said Wilkinson, who won a gold medal for the 10-meter platform dive in the 2000 Summer Olympics. “Before this pool was built, if there was bad weather, we would have to cancel practice altogether or drive out of town to train.”

In addition to Wilkinson, brothers Troy and Justin Dumais will be among the divers training on campus.
The Summer Olympics begin Aug. 13 in Athens, Greece. The diving competitions are scheduled for Aug. 14, 16 and 20 – 28.

For Wilkinson and the Dumais brothers, the road to Athens continues with this week’s training camp at UH and, they hope, will conclude with gold medals.

“The biggest challenge that I face in this year’s games is the pressure I put on myself,” Wilkinson said. “The hope of another gold medal is an entirely new journey, which is just as exciting!”

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu