By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

April 18 - British Swimming has been forced to cancel the FINA Diving World Series, featuring Tom Daley (pictured), which was due to be held in Sheffield this week because of the continuing problems with flights into the country and parts of Europe caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland, they announced today.



The event, which was due to take place at Ponds Forge on Saturday and Sunday (April 23-24) will now be held at the conclusion of the ongoing World Series event in Veracruz, Mexico.

British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes said: "While this is a huge disappointment for British Swimming and fans of diving, the situation is beyond our control.

"To ensure the athletes can resume the competition we have reluctantly agreed to accept the generous offer of the Mexican Government and Federation to step in to help in what is clearly a challenging time for everyone in Europe."

The news is a major blow to British divers, including Daley, the world 10 metre platform world champion, who are also now stranded in Mexico and unable to travel home.

Monique Gladding and Megan Sylvester were sixth in the women's 10m platform synchro while Tonia Couch occupied the same position in the individual platform event in Mexico.

It is the second major event to be hit by the unprecedented situation, which has seen airports in Britain closed since last Thursday.

Last week it was announced that the start of the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham had been put back a day until Thursday (April 22) to allow teams more time to travel to England.

But with the situation continuing - and no sign of it coming to an end with airports in Britain already closed until at least tomorrow evening - that is set to be reviewed and whether the event will take place at all.

Other major events that could also be affected include the Virgin London Marathon, which is due to have elite runners from all over the world, next Sunday (April 25).

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