Aldridge delight as Olympic dream becomes reality

8:00am Wednesday 4th June 2008

Croydon-born diver Blake Aldridge has set his sights on returning from this summer's Beijing Olympics with a medal after his place in Team GB was virtually guaranteed.

Aldridge and his diving partner, 14-year-old Tom Daley, were due to face off against Leon Taylor and Peter Waterfield in the 10m synchronised diving at the British trials for the spot at the games.

"It will be great to go there and get an experience of what the Olympics is like for London 2012, but I can�t see any reason why we cannot leave with a medal."

Blake Aldridge

However, Taylor was forced to retire last week, meaning Aldridge and Daley are all but assured the place.

"I'm over the moon," said Aldridge, who grew up in Norbury and trained in Crystal Palace for many years.

"It's a dream come true. It's been 21 years of hard work and it's finally paid off.

"It's unfortunate that Leon has had to retire but it is good for us. I means that Tom and I will pretty much definitely be going.

"Obviously we still have to do the British trials but we will be the only people in it now. The British Olympic Association then have to accredit us but as it stands it is very unlikely that we will not be going."

The 25-year-old is in confident mood after winning the World Series in Sheffield last month, and is hoping he and Tom can repeat that performance in Beijing.

"Everything is looking good, it's been an amazing year and it is not over yet," he said.

"It will be great to go there and get an experience of what the Olympics is like for London 2012, but I can't see any reason why we cannot leave with a medal.

"The fact that we came third in the World Cup and won the World Series and the people we competed against there will be the same at Beijing means to me that we are up there with the world's best.

"I'm excited to be able to go there and be in the mix for a medal."

Blake's preparations for the games have been boosted by his sponsors, the Apogee Corporation and B&Q.

Apogee are buying him a brand new car to help him travel to and from Plymouth to train with Daley, while B&Q have said he does not need to work in the lead up to the games so long as he gives regular motivational speeches to staff.

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