DIVING: Australia has fallen just short in its attempt to qualify two synchronised diving teams for this year’s Olympics on the opening day of the World Cup in Rio.

Needing to finish in the top four of non-qualified countries to book an Olympic berth, the Australian women’s platform team of Melissa Wu and Brittany Broben finished eighth, while the men’s springboard synchro team of Grant Nel and James Connor finished ninth.

Both teams performed strongly in qualifying earlier in the day, with Broben and Wu entering the final in fifth, and Nel and Connor in sixth.

After the removal of teams already qualified for Rio those results would have earned Australia a ticket in both events.

Australia has already qualified an Olympic place in the women’s springboard synchro, courtesy of the third place achieved by Esther Qin and Samantha Mills at last year’s World Championships.

Commonwealth Games synchro gold medallist, Domonic Bedggood, and Connor will team up on Sunday morning to try and earn Australia a ticket for the men’s platform synchro.

Australia has already qualified two divers in each of the individual Olympic events.

Ross Solly for Diving Australia