Belmont Olympic Pool - Diving Champs Trained There

By Chris MacDonald

Long Beach, Ca--When the famous indoor Belmont Olympic Pool was declared seismically unsafe recently, the World's diving community was shocked to learn that a diving facility was not part of the new reconstruction plans. So they dove into action to ensure the facility's legacy would continue.

Legendary Olympic Gold Medalists Dr. Sammy Lee, Greg Louganis, and numerous Olympians, World Champions, NCAA Champions, Junior Olympic Champions, and hundreds of others wrote letters, signed petitions and contacted politicians urging the Long Beach City Council to include the necessary diving platforms in the town which became internationally known because of them. Olympic divers from around the globe have trained here but it was the young diving stars of the future, who also let their dreams be known. "If the new Olympic Pool doesn't have diving boards then I won't be able to dive anymore," wrote young Drew Coomans. "I am not a quitter, so I hope Long Beach won't quit on me!"

Cassidy Krug, captain of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Diving Team, said continuing indoor diving at the only facility of its kind in Southern California "would instantly make it a major training and competition center for the entire country. It would bring prestige and tourism dollars to the city." Many people made their support known, including divers from New Zealand, Sweden and other countries, as well as former Olympian Kelly McCormick, whose father, legendary diving instructor Glenn McCormick, made the facility famous. He founded McCormick Divers, which has helped thousands of all ages in their quest to be the best.

The divers who were involved in the campaign won gold medals because they secured the support of Long Beach City Councilmen Gary DeLong and Patrick O'Donnell, who recommended to their colleagues that the proposed pool be lengthened to include diving platforms and a separate diving well. The Council voted to add the diving platforms and well to the indoor pool.

But officials say it may take a year for environmental impact reports and Long Beach Planning Commission as well as California Coastal Commission approvals to be granted; then at least a couple years to build the entire swimming pool/diving well project.

Debby McCormick, a former diving champion, widow of Glenn and head of McCormick Divers, helped rally the troops and she's happy with the results. "But once it's completed, I hope the city will waive our rental fees for two years so we can rebuild our lost revenue," she said. "I also hope they'll allow us to sell concessions." You can read more at McCormickDivers.com.

To find out more about McCormick Divers, contact Debby at 714-846-5731 or email McCormickDivers@aol.com