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Olympic champion Matty Lee announces retirement from diving
February 27, 2025Olympic champion Matty Lee has announced his retirement from a glittering diving career that ‘gave him the world’.
Lee confirmed the difficult decision with an emotional post on Instagram, saying that the time was right for him to step away from the sport.
He said: “After 20 years in the sport, it’s time for me to step away from diving.
“This decision hasn’t been easy, but after losing my dad in 2022, I struggled to find the same passion I once had, he was my why. Then came injuries, surgeries and the realisation that I don’t want to be a broken man moving forward.
“Diving has given me the world, literally. The people I’ve met, the places I’ve travelled, the memories I’ve made. That’s what I’ll cherish the most.”
The unforgettable highlight of Lee’s career undoubtedly came when he and Tom Daley dived to Olympic gold in the Men’s 10m Synchronised Platform at Tokyo 2020.
An eye-catching performance saw the pair finish a dramatic 1.2 points ahead of China’s Cao Yuan and Chen Aisen to become Team GB’s second-ever Olympic diving champions.
But Lee’s international success extends to every major international podium in a career which began back in his native Leeds at City of Leeds Diving Club.
There, he burst onto the international scene with some outstanding performances on the junior international stage, winning European Junior 3m Springboard gold in the Group B age group in both 2012 and 2013.
He won his first international medals in 2014, combining with Daniel Goodfellow for 10m Synchro bronze at the opening two legs of the FINA Diving World Series before taking individual gold in his Team GB debut at the European Games a year later.
Before moving over to Dive London, Lee made his Commonwealth Games debut for Team England on the Gold Coast and took his first World Championships medal with silver in the Mixed 10m Synchro alongside Lois Toulson.
‘Thank you for your unwavering support’
It was in London though where his career took off as he formed a partnership with Daley that will go down in British diving history.
In the run-up to Tokyo the pair won European and World Aquatics Diving World Cup gold together in the 10m synchro event, as well as World Championship bronze in 2019.
Then came that special moment in Tokyo before moving on to team with Noah Williams for more international success in 2022.
Together, Lee and Williams won a wonderful World Championship silver and became Commonwealth Games champions in 2022, with the Aquatics GB Performance Centre London man also taking individual bronze in the Men’s 10m Platform in Birmingham.
He was rewarded with an MBE in the 2022 New Years Honours list for his services to diving and reflecting on his career, Lee wanted to thank his family, team and fans for all their endless support.
He added: “To my incredible family. Dad, my biggest fan, I hope I made you proud. Tom, my brother, my inspiration. Mum, for always being there, through the highs and lows, the early mornings, the long drives, the endless support.
“To my team. Jane (Figueiredo), who shaped me into a champion. Gareth, who kept me moving when it mattered most. Brit, who made me believe in my own strength.
“And of course, to my synchro partner Tom (Daley). What a journey, what a moment we shared. Olympic Champions forever.
“To every coach and staff member who played a role in my career. thank you.
“From the first coach who sparked my love for diving to the last who guided me through my final chapter, everything I’ve achieved is because of you. Your support, knowledge, and dedication never went unnoticed.
“To my closest friends. you never pulled me away from my sport, you lifted me up through it. Your support, laughter, and belief in me meant more than you’ll ever know.
“To my fans and followers, thank you for your unwavering support, through every dive, every challenge, every triumph. You made this journey even more special.
“And finally to the doubters. thank you too. You kept me hungry. You made me push harder. And in the end, I proved to myself that I could achieve more than I ever imagined.
“What’s next? Honestly, I don’t know. And that’s both terrifying and exciting. But I do know this. there’s more to life than diving, and I’m ready for it.”
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