"Unless you are in a sport where you can earn thousands of dollars you compete for the love of the sport," he said after preparing with his US teammates at Sheffield's Ponds Forge pool ahead of the Olympic test event, the FINA Diving World Cup, in the London 2012 Aquatics Centre from February 20-26.

"If you make the experience more thrilling and enjoyable, that's when the results come.

"People in the past have tried to make competing more than it is.

"And that's when you hit trouble.

"I did it myself.

"But now I am really enjoying my diving.

"I think of it more as a hobby, but then if I can earn my Olympic place in the US trials this summer I will be going all out for a medal at London 2012."

Dumais, a double silver medallist at the 2009 World Championships and silver medallist in the 2010 World Cup, is looking forward eagerly to what will be his first experience of the Olympic venue.

"Our performance director, Steve Foley, came over a week early to scout out the London Aquatic Centre," he said.

"He says it's phenomenal, and that we've got nothing to worry about.

"I can't wait to get a look at it myself."


Foley, formerly Great Britain's performance director, has been equally impressed with the facilities at Ponds Forge (pictured), where his US divers have been regular visitors as they prepare for international events.

"The facilities and the atmosphere at Ponds Forge are great," said Dumais.

"We love coming here to train.

"We have everything that we want here."

The team, brought to the city by a Council led partnership of Sheffield organisations, has also spent time coaching local children from Sheffield City Council's Diving Training Scheme.

Councillor Helen Mirfin-Boukouris, Sheffield City Council's Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Growth, said: "We are delighted to welcome the USA diving team to the city, this time for their first official pre-Games training camp here.

"I would like to personally thank the team for taking the time to coach some of our young Sheffield diving talent whilst in the city.

"I appreciate this is a vitally important time for the squad, and it speaks volumes that they are happy to spend time inspiring the next generation."

Under Foley's guidance the US team, which has failed to win a medal at the last two Olympics, is hoping to get back onto the Games podium in 2012 to revive some of the tradition of success they created until China became the main country to beat in the early 90s.

The main focus of US attention at the London Test event will be to earn second spots in the men's 3 metres springboard, where Dumais has already qualified one position through his performance at last year's World Championships, and in the women's 10m event.


Dumais will be seeking to secure a qualifying spot in the 3m synchro with his partner Kristian Ipsen, who will also compete in the individual event along with Chris Colwill seeking to earn that second Olympic qualifying place by finishing in the top 18.

Fourteen divers will represent the United States at the World Cup, including seven members of the 2008 Olympic team: David Boudia, who won a silver medal on platform at the 2011 World Championships, Kelci Bryant, Colwill, Dumais, Thomas Finchum, Haley Ishimatsu and Christina Loukas.

Other team members are Katie Bell, Amy Cozad, Ipsen, Abby Johnston, Cassidy Krug, Nick McCrory and Laura Ryan.

Countries can qualify a maximum of 12 Olympic spots for diving – two in each of the individual events and one in each of the synchronised diving events.

The US Olympic team for diving will be determined at the US Olympic team trials in Washington, from June 17 to 24.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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