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As the olympics are underway in Paris, 15yr old author and diver extraordinaire, Sanaa Chege, is hoping to bring more diversity to the world of diving, with her new children’s book, A Diver Like Me. In it, she discusses her journey of discovering the sport, how she fell in love with it, and often times feeling out of place among other divers that don’t share the same background. It is her hope, that her sharing her story, she will inspire other young black girls to get involved with diving and experience the joy she’s found in diving!

Chege has quite the impressive resume on her own merit. She is a member of Montgomery Dive Club, USA Diving, and the Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendents Leadership Academy. She is also the Montgomery County Public School Student-Athlete Delegate for the 2024 NFHS National Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis, IN. She has received her Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Award and currently working on her Gold while also being a Boys & Girls Club Keystone Club Member.

It is no secret, that today’s current elite class of divers are a bit narrowly focused which offers a true opportunity for diverse representation on the main stage (see the Paris 2024 USA Diving Olympic Team Roster) . In a recent article created by TeamUsa.com, it seems diversity has been on their radar as well during trials for athlete Kristen Hayden with the headline “Eying Paris, Diver Kristen Hayden has Representation on Her Mind Too”.  In the article she says,

“As a young child, you always are looking up to wanting to be someone, and that’s what’s really pushed me to just want to be the model and be someone that a young Black male or female diver can look up to so that they do feel included, that they realize that this is a sport that they can do.”

-Kristen Hayden, USA Diving National Team

At the recent olympic trials, Chege was able to connect with Hayden and share a moment of Black Girl Magic! They took pictures together, Chege met the rest of her team, and shared contact information to keep in touch for the future. Hayden eve gifted Chege with her swim cap and shammy!  Chege was also able to connect with Nike Agunbiade, another black diver who competed in the trials.

Chege says, “Diving is so much fun and I hope one day I can inspire more black girls to try it. I’m sure they would love it just like I do!”

A Diver Like Me is now available online on Barnes & Noble, Target, Amazon and more! It can also be purchased on her website chegecorner.com.

 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The David Brand