The Diving World Cup set to take place in Mexico next week has been called off due to safety concerns. The event was scheduled to run from March 5-8 at the national diving training center in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco. The decision to cancel the competition was influenced by the recent increase in violence in the region following the capture and death of Nemesio Oseguera, the leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).
World Aquatics stated that the cancellation was a result of a comprehensive risk assessment that considered travel restrictions and advisory warnings from various international governments regarding travel to Mexico. Ensuring the safety and well-being of all athletes was highlighted as a top priority by World Aquatics.
While Mexican sports officials have not yet issued a statement regarding the cancellation, reports indicate that cartel members have been involved in violent activities, including burning cars and blocking roads in multiple Mexican states. The CJNG, known as the most powerful and aggressive cartel in Mexico, is primarily based in Jalisco state.
Despite Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s reassurances that the situation is improving, fear still lingers among the residents of Guadalajara. The Diving World Cup is now set to kick off this week in Montreal at the Olympic Park Sports Centre, a historic venue constructed for the 1976 Olympics.
In related news, several high-profile soccer matches were postponed last Sunday, with top-tier team Atlas resorting to virtual workouts via Zoom. Additionally, four players from the Guadalajara-based Jalisco Charros of the Women’s Professional League requested to be released from the team for personal reasons. The players include American Nicola Simpson, Canadians Natalie Wildman and Janet Lung, and Dutch athlete Eva Voortman.
Montreal has a rich history of hosting major diving events, having previously organized 14 Diving World Cup and Grand Prix competitions, along with the 2022 world junior diving championships.
The competition will be livestreamed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, starting with the men’s 10-meter preliminaries on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET, followed by coverage from 10 a.m. on Friday through Sunday. For more information on the streaming schedule for Montreal and upcoming events, visit the CBC Sports website.
