The 29-year-old has had an eventful Olympic cycle since Tokyo, but his passion for diving is burning brighter than ever, and as he prepares for his fourth Olympics, his passion for diving is burning brighter than ever. A medal is considered inside.
From London 2012 to his 2024 Paris, bubbly Ripon diver Jack Locher will be competing in his fourth Olympics with only a medal in mind.
The 29-year-old knows better than anyone the importance of being selected for Team GB after a tumultuous run-up to Tokyo 2020. The 3m tall specialist battled his mental health to get onto the board. Lougher took a brilliant bronze last time out and Paris 2024 marks eight years since his Rio 2016 triumph, when he won gold alongside Chris Mears in the Games’ famous green-hued pool.
This time he forms a partnership with Olympic debutant Anthony Harding, one of four formidable synchronized pairs who are among the first Team GB vaulters selected for the Paris 2024 Games. Locher states: “Rio feels yesterday, but it seems to be eight years ago. I changed a lot, and this is my third partnership with another synchro partner. “It’s exciting to invite Anthony to his first Olympics, so we’re really looking forward to it and hope it goes as well as possible. It’s been different every time. Chris and Dan (Goodfellow) have already been to the Olympics. However, Anthony did not participate in the Olympics. “It gave me the spark that I needed as I got older. As athletes get older, it’s important to keep that fire burning and have someone to take care of it. I’m very proud of the medal, but mentally, that bronze medal meant a lot to me because of everything I went through to get there. “It’s hard to talk about it, but it’s great to look back and realize how strong you can be. I learned from it and grew into a stronger athlete.
Jack Lau celebrates on the podium after winning the bronze medal in the men’s 3m springboard at Tokyo 2020.
Larcher is one of 1,000 elite athletes taking part in British Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, where he will train full-time, have access to the world’s best coaches and receive innovative medical support. can benefit from. As a child, Harding used to commute from Manchester to Leeds six days a week for training, but he also receives ongoing support. The 23-year-old has been training with Olympians since he was 16 and enjoyed medal success at the Olympics alongside Lacher, Britain’s first Olympic diving champion. He said: “I didn’t realize it yet, but I thought I was surrounded by amazing Olympians every day. In short, they give you hope, but it’s hard to really make it happen.” you have to believe in yourself.
