Brisbane schoolgirl Hannah Thek has been selected in the Australian diving team to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore from 14 – 26 August.

Thek, who turns 17 two days before the YOG, is a specialist in the 3m springboard and synchronised diving as well as the 10m platform and synchronised diving.

The Gannets Diving Club member said she was happy to have a bit of variation in her diving program and that each event provided different challenges.

“In the past I’ve put more time into the 3m [springboard] but recently I’ve been putting a lot more focus on the platform, which I’ve been really enjoying,” Thek said.

“I’m glad I do both of them - it means there is always something I can work on and it changes things up a bit with training.”

With three champion sportswomen living in the Thek house, global travel is a normal part of life. Her older sister Laura is an Australian junior runner, while younger sister Grace has shown promise in gymnastics, cheerleading and diving at state level.

Thek said she loved the travel that came with international competition and was looking forward to seeing the sights of Singapore.

“Last year was my first international competition at the FINA Spanish Grand Prix, it was so much fun and I was pretty happy with how I dived,” she said.

“I’ve just come back from the youth trials which were in Mexico where you had to place in the top 12 to qualify ... I love all the travel that comes with international competition.

“My sister Laura has run in Germany and she was in Poland last year and there are heaps of interstate competitions so my family are always somewhere competing.

“In Singapore I’m really looking forward to staying as a team and getting to know everyone. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere of it all and I know who my competitors are going to be there now, so I can’t wait to get there.”

Diving will take place from Saturday 21 to Tuesday 24 August at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex, located in the heart of a residential community. There will be four events being young men and women’s individual 3m springboard and 10m platform.

Elliot Woods
AOC