World Aquatics today announced that Bahrain will host the first stop of the highly anticipated High Diving World Cup 2024, to take place from 21 to 22 September. It will mark the first time a high diving competition and a World Aquatics event will have been held in the Kingdom.
Supported by GFH Financial Group, one of the most recognised financial groups in the Gulf region, 50 of the world’s best male and female high divers will meet in what promises to be a great showcase for this spectacular aquatics sport.
Bahrain offers a rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, all among a beautiful coastline and iconic architecture. Plans for the event notably draw from this coastal identity. The competition will be held in Manama, with the diving platforms rising 27 metres high against the city’s stunning skyline. Fans and stakeholders alike are promised an unforgettable experience at every turn.
Adding to the stakes for the competition, it has been confirmed that the stop in Bahrain will serve as a qualification tournament for the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025.
World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam expressed his excitement over the plans for the event and also the long-term aquatics agenda in Bahrain: “World Aquatics is thrilled to be bringing high divers to Bahrain for the first time, building on the recent establishment of the World Aquatics centre of excellence at the University of Technology Bahrain. The future for aquatics sport in Bahrain looks very bright and is clearly set to have a global impact.”
He added; “I extend a heartfelt thank you to the Bahrain Olympic Committee, the GFH Financial Group (GFH) and the Bahrain Swimming Federation for their continued commitment to the development of aquatics sports. Through their visionary initiatives, they have played a pivotal role in promoting the growth of aquatics disciplines in the region and fostering a culture of excellence”.
Canadian high diver, Molly Carlson said; “I am so excited to be competing in Bahrain for the High Diving World Cup and to have this date and place to look forward to. Each competition brings its own unique energy and atmosphere. We always love to compete in, and experience, new places and then share those things with our fans. With this being the first stop in the competition this year, the anticipation will be high too!”
Aidan Heslop, British high diver who was recently crowned men’s high dive champion said; “After the success of the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024, I can’t wait to get back to that part of the world. It’s a great place to compete in and it will be all the more special for sharing the experience among this community of athletes that I’ve really come to appreciate.”
About World Aquatics:
Driven by the vision of a world united by water for health, life and sport, World Aquatics is the international governing body for aquatic sports. Founded in 1908, World Aquatics is an independent organisation formed of 210 National Member Federations and five Continental Associations.
World Aquatics oversees six aquatic sports – swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving – and is recognised as the leading global authority of these sports by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).