Kothari and Houlden set for Olympic debuts as Paris diving team is confirmed

Commonwealth Games medallists Kyle Kothari and Jordan Houlden are set to make their Olympic debuts after being added to a ‘really strong’ Team GB diving squad for the Paris 2024 Games.

Houlden, Kothari and Scotland’s Grace Reid were today confirmed by the British Olympic Association as the final three Team GB divers heading for the French capital, joining the eight synchronised pairs already selected.

Kothari, who won a silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the Mixed 10m Synchronised Platform alongside Lois Toulson, said his selection was a reward for everyone who had supported him as he battled injuries.

He will compete in the men’s 10m Platform and said: “Not every path to a Games is the same. 

“To get here after eight years of injuries and three surgeries is a testament to the sacrifices, endless rehab and support from everyone who believed in me. 

“I’m extremely proud of my journey and that’s what makes this selection special.” 

Fellow Olympic debutant Houlden, who won a silver in the 3m Springboard at Birmingham 2022, the event he will be competing in during the Paris Games, added: “It means a lot to me to be selected to go to the Olympics – but it meant the world to me when I told my family and friends and saw their reactions.”

The trio of Houlden, Kothari and Reid join Tom Daley, Anthony Harding, Yasmin Harper, Jack Laugher, Scarlett Mew Jensen, Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, Toulson and Noah Williams, who will be competing at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in Paris from Saturday 27 July.

Promising displays

Tim Jones, Aquatics GB associate performance director, said he was looking forward to seeing the team come together in Paris following a record-breaking set of performances at February’s World Championships in Doha.

He added: “It is fantastic to be able to add Grace, Kyle and Jordan to what was already a really strong Olympic diving team.

“Grace joins Lois, Tom and Jack in bringing a wealth of previous Olympic experience with her after showing brilliant commitment to earn another selection, while Jordan and Kyle have worked incredibly hard and shown good consistency in the critical competition moments to earn their Team GB debuts – always a big moment for any athlete in any sport. 

“With our team for the Games now complete, the final preparations really begin. 

“We put in some extremely promising displays at the recent Paris test event at the new Olympic venue and competing in that pool also gave us a good insight into how things will look when it comes to the Olympics.

“Our athletes, coaches and support staff will be working together over the coming weeks to fine-tune preparations and ensure everyone is in the best position, physically and mentally, when they enter the arena at the end of July.” 

Mark England, Team GB Chef de Mission, said: “It’s always an honour to recognise this important moment in any athletes’ career and especially so for those making their debut at the Olympic Games, just as Jordan and Kyle are. 

“I hope they go on to have wonderful Olympic careers and match the outstanding feat that Grace has in qualifying for her third Olympic Games. I wish them all the best of luck in Paris.”