Leon Taylor is regarded as one of the world's best platform divers. He has had a long and distinguished career, having represented Great Britain since 1992, and is one of only a handful of divers to perform in competition the ‘hardest dive in the world’ – a backward 2 and ½ somersaults with 2 and ½ twists piked. He invented the dive in 1998 and showed the diving fraternity the way forward.
Following shoulder surgery in 2001 Leon has had the world at his feet, achieving silver medal status at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and fulfilling a lifetime’s ambition with a podium finish and a 2004 Olympic silver medal in Athens, the first British diving medal since 1960.
Sadly, in May 2008 Leon was forced to retire from competition due to a recurrent back injury which plagued him for a number of months and which necessitated a withdrawal from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Since hanging up his speedos, however, Leon has continued his work as a BT Ambassador and helping to inspire young divers across the country to become the champions of the future. Leon is heavily involved in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – both in his role as a commentator for the BBC as well as being the official mentor to the Team GB diving team, including 14-year-old Tom Daley.
"After 20 years of diving and competing at the highest level it is a privilege to be involved in coaching and mentoring the next generation of young British sportsmen. Winning a silver medal at the Olympics in Athens in 2004 is the highlight of my career and an incredible memory that will be with me forever. I want the next generation to have the same experiences that I had and to strive to reach the pinnacle of their sports. With the help of BT I am looking forward to helping young people fulfil their potential - and to have an experience at London 2012 that they will never forget."
