Amateur Sports

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Geyson's dream in sight

Could nail down Oly spot this week

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 02/21/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

David Lipnowski / Winnipeg Free Press archives Synchro diver Kevin Geyson has to crack the top eight this week to qualify for the London Games.

Kevin Geyson will climb to the top of the 10-metre platform on Thursday in London, England, with the singular focus of fulfilling his Olympic dream.

And if all goes to plan for the Winnipeg diver, he and his 10-metre synchronized diving partner Eric Sehn will be making plans to return to the same venue later this summer for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

"There's a chance. We know there's a lot of other good teams we have to go up against, but we're ready to fight for one of those spots," said Geyson in a conference call earlier this week from London where the FINA Diving World Cup -- a test event and the last qualifier for the 2012 Games -- is taking place this week.

"There's the big picture, obviously. But you have to take one step at a time. Right now we've got the World Cup and we know what we have to do here so that the rest of the season can unfold the way we want it to."

This World Cup features over 220 divers from 40 countries at the new Olympic Aquatic Centre in the British capital. Geyson's goal is to lock down a spot for Canada in the 10-metre synchro event with Sehn, but it won't be easy. It's a highly-competitive field and Geyson and Sehn will have to finish in the Top 8 -- a feat they did accomplish at last year's world championships. Geyson and Sehn also won bronze at last year's Pan Am Games.

The fact that the 27-year-old Geyson, a member of the Revolution Diving Club at the Pan Am Pool, was even able to compete last season was nothing short of remarkable. While attending the World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai last July Geyson was hit by a taxi while crossing the street and suffered a concussion and an avulsion fracture of the tibia in his left leg. He spent eight days in the hospital in China but, in a testament to his will power, was back competing within a few months.

So, yes, getting it done in London this week would mean a ton.

"The pool is awesome," said Geyson of the Olympic venue. "The first day going in it was great to see it. We took a moment to take it all in and see everything and to start the dream of being here. Diving in the pool and getting to know it was important. And, hopefully, when we get back to the London Olympics we'll know what to expect."

The men's synchronized 10-metre platform preliminary event is scheduled to take place Thursday morning.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 21, 2012 C9

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