Synchronicity will take on a whole new meaning during the final of the women's 10m platform diving in pairs at the world championships in Rome next month. For while two divers from each nation try to tune into each other as they take the plunge from one board a month and a day from now, Bruce Springsteen will be tuning in for a Roman crowd a few hundred metres away in concert at the Foro Italico football stadium.
Rome 2009 Organisers and FINA are now talking to the Springsteen camp with a view to persuading The Boss to walk out on stage an hour or so later than the 8.30pm published start to the rock concert on July 19. The diving final starts at 7.30pm but is likely to last more than an hour. Absolute concentration is key to diving excellence. Not easy to work on your own Glory Days when The Boss is recalling his next door.
No prizes for guessing which tickets are most in demand right now - though there are still seats available for both Bruce and the Chinese Acrobatics special next door.
We can't confirm it yet but The Boss is said to be working on updated versions of a few of his classics for the Roman bash: Born to Dive and My City of [Roman] Ruins may yet make the bill.
