MONTREAL (CP) - Controversial diver Arturo Miranda will compete in the synchronized event at the FINA World Aquatic Championships after all.

Diving Canada's decision Friday to allow Miranda, 34, of Pointe-Claire, Que., to team with Rueben Ross of Regina in the three-metre synchronized diving competition gives Canada entries in all 10 diving events. Miranda was already entered in the three-metre individual competition.

The synchro event was in doubt since Miranda's usual partner, Philippe Comtois of Montreal, refused to dive with him after the Cuba native was disciplined for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old female diver at the winter national championships in Calgary.

"In training camp, we decided to try two divers, Ross and Miranda," said Canadian diving team manager Nancy Brawley, of Saskatoon. "Over the past week, we observed how they trained.

"We were excited about that and agreed to enter them in synchro. It would be a shame in our home country not to be in every event. But we wouldn't do it if it wasn't viable."

Neither Miranda nor Ross was available for comment after practice Friday.

Miranda was handed a six-month suspension in March for breaching the team's code of conduct after a diver he coached complained he had sex with her in a hotel room during the winter nationals.

A three-member appeals panel overturned the suspension on June 29. Diving Canada appealed to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre, which announced Thursday if would not rule until after the world championships in Montreal.

The men's three-metre synchro event is on the opening day of competition on Sunday, along with the women's 10-metre synchro.

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