The sold-out World Aquatics Diving World Cup opens Thursday at Windsor International Aquatics and Training Centre.
The international competition features 119 athletes from 23 countries, including Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, and China. The athletes will compete in nine events with the winners advancing to the World Cup Super Final in China in two weeks.
"They really are the very best divers in the world," said Penny Joyce, CEO of Diving Plongeon Canada.
Joyce said they continue to come to Windsor to host events because of the atmosphere they can create in the world-class facility.
"We can change a normal pool into a nice, elegant stage and create a ton of excitement," said Joyce. "The spectators go wild when they're in here watching the diving."
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island CEO Gordon Orr reported hotel blocks are fully booked for the event and nearly 75 per cent of tickets were sold to individuals travelling from out of town.
"We want to take advantage of every one of these opportunities because we know it's good for the hotels, we know it's good for businesses, we know it's good for Strengthen the Core and at the end of the day any chance we get to bring people to the City of Windsor and show them what we're doing in the City of Windsor and the facilities we have, that's a win for Windsor," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
The event runs until Sunday, April 13, 2025. Anyone who was not able to get tickets can watch the event on CBC Sports.