Beijing Olympic diving champion Matthew Mitcham will mark his international return by headlining a full strength Australian team at the Gold Coast's historic FINA Grand Prix round.
After missing July's world titles in Russia, Mitcham is back to spark an Australian team also featuring incumbent national captain Melissa Wu at the Gold Coast's Grand Prix debut next week.
London Olympic silver medallist Brittany Broben will compete as well, as she battles back from injury to keep her Rio dream alive.
The Australian team also includes Esther Qin, Samantha Mills, Maddison Keeney, Domonic Bedggood and Grant Nel.
China, Malaysia, Canada, Germany and the United States are among their threats at the Gold Coast's October 29-November 1 round.
Mitcham contested May's world titles selection trials but did not qualify for the championships in Kazan, as he recovered from an elbow injury and juggled a growing profile outside the pool.
He has a successful touring cabaret act and impressed in this season's Dancing with the Stars TV show.
Broben will also be tempted to make up for lost time at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.
The 19-year-old is slowly returning to a full diving program after recovering from a shoulder operation that sabotaged her 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 world titles hopes.
"The 12-month anniversary to Rio made me excited and a bit nervous, but I try to look at it by thinking I still have one year to give it everything I have in training," Broben said.
"A lot can happen in a year."
The Australian diving team for Rio will be finalised after April's national championships.
Meanwhile, London Olympian Anabelle Smith will lead a young Australian team at this weekend's Kuala Lumpur Grand Prix event.
Share
