Britain’s Mark Shipman and Tony Ally failed to reach the final of the 3m springboard at the Olympic Games on Tuesday after a disappointing display in the semi finals in Athens.
The British pair were rooted to the lower end of the points table throughout the five rounds, with Ally, the former European Champion finishing 15th and his Sheffield teammate and synchro partner Shipman taking the 18th and final position.
Ally amassed a total of 617.13 points while Shipman totalled 599.88.
The 630.60 points scored by Mexico’s Rommel Pacheco was enough to qualify for tonight’s 12-man final.
Ally and Shipman, both 31, are the most experienced divers on Britain’s seven-strong team in Athens. The pair dived together to take fifth place in the 3m springboard synchro last week.
Compatriots Leon Taylor and Peter Waterfield ended a 44-year medals drought for Britain’s divers when they collected the silver medal in the 10m platform synchro event on the opening day of the Games.
Tandi Gerrard and Jane Smith were just a few points away from the medals when they finished in fourth place in the 3m syncho competition.
Smith, a former champion of ITV’s “Gladiators” programme, returns to the boards on Wednesday with Olympics newcomer Tracey Richardson in the individual women’s 3m springboard preliminaries.
-ENDS-
■ The 2004 Olympic Games take place in Athens, Greece, between August 13 and 29. Diving runs from August 14 to 28.
For further details contact Martin Petty, British Swimming Communications Officer in the UK on 01509 632237, 07968 411689 or email martin.petty@swimming.org
