MONIQUE GLADDING has completed her comeback from nearly dying to reaching the Olympics.
The 30-year-old smashed her head on the 10m concrete platform 18 months ago during a competition in Russia.
But now she is preparing for an emotional Olympic debut after being named in Team GB’s 12-strong diving squad.
Gladding said: “I had to draw on something much deeper than I ever have before to get myself back and get the confidence back. To be in London, I’ve had to dig deeper than ever. It’s been such a good year. I have given everything I’ve got.”
Gladding came third in the women’s platform at the British Gas Diving Championships in Sheffield at the weekend.
But she got the nod ahead of Tonia Couch – who is set to appeal – and will compete alongside platform winner Stacie Powell.
Gladding had to be dragged to safety after her horror accident in February 2011, when she plunged unconscious into the water.
She was left with a huge scar across her scalp and feared her Olympic dream was over, after missing out twice before.
But it wasn’t long before she was back on the board and top-10 finishes at the World and European Championships this year were enough to persuade selectors to ignore the fact she finished outside the top two in Sheffield.
Tom Daley, 18, is the big name in Team GB’s squad and the country’s biggest medal hope.
He landed the individual and synchro titles in Sheffield, and reclaimed his European title last month with a personal best 565.05.
Daley will compete in the individual and synchro platform alongside Pete Waterfield, who appears in his fourth Olympics.
Couch and Sarah Barrow go in the 10m synchro, while Rebecca Gallantree and Nick Robinson-Baker appear in their second Olympics.
Team: Tom Daley (10m, individual & synchro), Pete Waterfield (10m, individual & platform), Jack Laugher (3m), Chris Mears (3m individual, synchro), Nick Robinson- Baker (3m synchro), Stacie Powell (10m), Monique Gladding (10m), Tonia Couch (10m synchro), Sarah Barrow (10m synchro), Rebecca Gallantree (3m, individual & synchro), Hannah Starling (3m), Alicia Blagg (3m synchro).
Daily Star; June 13,2012
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