Harper 'excited and nervous' to dive at Olympics

Yasmin Harper, 23, lives in Nether Edge in Sheffield

A Sheffield diver has said she feels "so excited and nervous" about competing in her first Olympic Games.

Yasmin Harper, 23, from Nether Edge, will represent Team GB in the women's synchronised and individual 3m springboard competitions in Paris.

She said she was a "latecomer" to diving, starting aged 13 after having trained in gymnastics for eight years.

Now Ms Harper trains with Sheffield Diving at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, which she said was "such an amazing venue".

Yasmin Harper in the women's 3m springboard final at the British Diving Championships in May

She said: "We have everything here. It really is one of those venues you come to and you remember."

Ms Harper secured her place at the 2024 Olympics after winning the women's 3m springboard at the British Diving Championships in May.

She will compete in individual diving and with her partner, Scarlett Mew Jensen from London Aquatics, in the 3m synchronised springboard diving.

Judges decide the outcome by tallying up scores for the five directions of springboard dives - forwards, backwards, reverse, inward and twisting.

Looking ahead to Paris, Ms Harper said: "I'm so excited.

"It's what I've wanted for the last couple of years.

"It's the Olympic Games, it's the pinnacle of any athlete's career, so there'll be nerves, excitement, awe of the surroundings and everything. It'll be great."

She added that she and her diving partner Ms Mew Jensen had set their hearts on Olympic medals since making the podium at the World Championships in February.

"Heading in to this Olympics I'm hoping we can put our best foot forward, and do as we do, and hopefully come away with some silverware," Ms Harper said.

Just being at the Olympics meant being near "incredible athletes" at "such an inspiring event", she added.

The 2024 Olympic Games begin on 26 July and end on 11 August.

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