The ceremony took place last week at East London’s London Aquatics Centre, where a special Champion Stones ceremony recognised the achievements of some of the nation’s most accomplished athletes in the sport.
A new wave of talent in the capital is making its mark on the international stage, thanks to the centre’s high-performance diving pathway.
Tom Daley, who trained at the London Aquatics Centre, said: “It’s always an honour to represent Team GB, but to have this commemorated in the pool where it happened, and where the majority of my diving training took place, is really special.
“Winning my first Olympic medal at the London Aquatics Centre in front of a home crowd will forever be a highlight, not forgetting winning in Tokyo too.”
Other athletes honoured included Matty Lee, Grace Reid, Kyle Kothari, and coaches Alex Rochas and Jane Figueiredo.
Each athlete was given a commemorative keepsake stone, with permanent stones now set to be installed on Champions Place, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park walkway dedicated to Britain’s sporting greats.
Noah Williams, another athlete honoured at the ceremony, said: “Winning two medals at the Paris Olympic Games perfectly encapsulates my dedication and all the hard work I put into diving – it was honestly everything I had worked for and worth every moment. It has made me realise that anything is possible with enough hard work.”
The London Aquatics Centre, which opened in 2014 and is operated by Everyone Active on behalf of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), has become a hub for diving excellence in the UK, with more than 700 children participating in weekly Learn to Dive classes.
Mark Basker, regional contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “What’s happening here at the London Aquatics Centre is the true legacy of 2012 in action. In just over ten years, we’ve seen local children join Learn to Dive lessons, develop through the ranks, and go on to represent Great Britain on the world stage.”
