Diver Anabelle Smith has opened up on being criticised for her appearance, praising the progress which has been made to make the sport safer for the next generation.

Smith, who is preparing to represent Australia in her fourth Olympics, says she had to battle through critics of her body shape in the early years of her diving career.

Click PLAY to hear Anabelle Smith’s full interview on The Olympics Today 

“I definitely try and make sure the kids these days avoid any of those sort of body image conversations,” she told Shane McInnes on The Olympics Today podcast.

“We have acceptance (now), we have good, good communication at training and words that we use, words that we don’t use that involve discussing what people look like.

“So there’s a pretty strict line on that stuff now which I think creates a much safer environment.”

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Image: Getty