Tom Daley is expecting the standard of the London leg of the Diving World Series to be up there with the 2012 Olympics as he heads up the British team set to compete in the capital.
Daley, who now trains at the London Aquatics Centre where he won 10m platform bronze at the 2012 Olympics, will compete on his new home boards for the first time since his move.
And Daley, now being coached by Jane Figueiredo in the capital, is anticipating a fierce test with the likes of American David Boudia – the 10m platform Olympic champion in London.
"This will be the first time that I will have competed at an international at my home pool and it is something that I am really excited about," said Daley, who will compete in Beijing this week for the Diving World Series opener.
"I have been in London now for almost two months and I love it. The pool holds such good memories for me and is always impressive when you walk in.
“It’s going to be good to compete alongside the world’s best and I know that it will be a tight 10m platform final with the likes of David in the mix.
“He showed he is world class at London 2012 and it’s going to be good to go up against him again and see where we’re both at, at this point in the season.
"The home crowd support is something that is so important for all of the divers and it really inspired us all at the London Olympics.
“It’s going to be fantastic to have the same sort of crowd come and cheer on the British team this year and hopefully show them all how good diving is ahead of the Commonwealths in the summer."
Joining Daley on the British team are a host of athletes who competed at the London 2012 Olympics – Tonia Couch, Sarah Barrow, Chris Mears, Jack Laugher, Rebecca Gallantree, Alicia Blagg and Hannah Starling.
There will also be a new pairing in Matty Lee and Daniel Goodfellow in the men’s 10m synchro – and the former cannot wait to take to the Olympic boards at the London Aquatics Centre.
"I’m extremely excited competing in London with a home crowd and it being the first competition there since the Olympics," said Lee.
"I thought it was a great venue and I was lucky enough to see two diving events and felt that the atmosphere was incredible.
"I know everyone really well and we are all good friends; some of the team are going to be helping me with my revision for my GCSEs. I think being the youngest is a good thing as I’m going to be looked after by the team.
"Dan and I are going out there to see how we measure up against the best in the world and to learn from this experience for our future."
© Sportsbeat 2014