Ask Crystal Palace diver Desharne Bent-Ashmeil where she sees herself in five years’ time and you’ll get one undisputed answer – the Olympic Games.

At 14 years of age it’s a big claim but when it comes to making her name in elite sport, Bent-Ashmeil is already making a splash.

Now the promising teen is keen to take things to the next level with senior competitions occupying her attentions throughout 2019, as well as the European Junior Championships.

It’s a year that will therefore require plenty of hard work on and off the diving board – and Virgo Fidelis School student is more than happy to oblige.

“I train six days a week for three-and-a-half hours. It’s a bit tiring, but you get the results in the end. I enjoy it,” said the Crystal Palace Diving Club member.

“I did gymnastics for five years but broke my elbow and stopped after that. I didn’t do anything for two years but then saw diving and decided I really want to try it.

“I just came back from a competition in Dresden – the Dresden Youth Meet International – and came first in both of my events: 1m and 3m.

“In June I have senior nationals with adults and I hope to medal there. Then I have junior Europeans in June.

“I’ve competed against seniors before. It’s a bit nerve–wracking, but you’re calm because you know that if you don’t medal there it’s because everyone’s older than me, so there’s less pressure.

“It’s all heading towards the big end goals – in five years I want to be competing in the Olympics.”

Her cause is also being helped by SportsAid and the Backing The Best programme, which offers critical financial help to talented young athletes who would otherwise face difficulties progressing through their sport’s system.

Backed by £5.5 million of National Lottery funding, Backing The Best presents annual awards of £5,000 per athlete to help with essential costs such as travel, accommodation, kit, nutrition and medical bills.

Bent-Ashmeil was one of dozens of SportsAid athletes who attended workshops at The London Stadium, offering media training, nutrition advice, performance lifestyle guidance and support for parents.

The youngsters from all over the country were joined by sports stars Maggie Alphonsi, John McAvoy and Jake Wightman, with the latter offering his support for the SportsAid programme.

“When you’re young the funding opportunities are pretty slim, so to know that there are people out there that will help you fulfil the potential that you feel like you have when not a lot of others are doing that is pretty vital,” he said.

“I hope they’ve gained a lot from us athletes being here, because it wasn’t that long ago that we were in that position. Every single one of them has got a good platform to go for success.

“Being a part of something like this, they’re already a pretty good way along the path of being successful athletes. I hope they can come away believing that can happen thanks to Backing The Best.”

Backing The Best is helping talented young athletes facing the greatest financial pressure to pursue their sporting ambitions.

The programme, managed by SportsAid for Sport England, is supported by National Lottery funding.

Visit www.sportengland.org/our-work/talent/backing-the-best/ to find out more.