Matty Lee, the British Olympic gold medalist who made history with Tom Daley at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has announced his retirement from competitive diving at the age of 26.
Lee, who became a household name after his gold medal win in the men’s synchronized 10m platform event alongside Daley, shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post.
A Career Filled With Achievements
Lee’s diving journey began in 2014, and over the next decade, he became a familiar face at the Commonwealth, World, and European Games.
His partnership with Daley, which began in 2018, brought him the ultimate reward at the Tokyo Olympics, where they won gold.
In addition to this milestone, Lee secured two silver medals at the World Championships and was crowned a European and Commonwealth champion.
Setbacks and Difficult Decisions
However, Lee’s path to further success was interrupted in 2024 when he underwent spinal surgery, ruling him out of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Following this, Lee made the difficult decision to retire from the sport.
In his emotional retirement message, he shared that the loss of his father in 2022 had deeply affected him, making it hard to find the same passion he once had for diving.
Acknowledging Those Who Supported Him
In his post, Lee expressed deep gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career.
He thanked his family, coach, and Daley, saying that their unwavering support and dedication helped him reach his goals.
He also shared appreciation for his fans and followers, acknowledging that their belief in him made his journey even more meaningful.
A New Chapter Ahead
Looking ahead, Lee admitted he doesn’t yet know what’s next but expressed excitement and fear about the future.
He emphasized that diving had given him so much but that there is more to life beyond the sport.
Lee also made headlines last year when he began supplementing his income through the adult website OnlyFans.
He clarified that his content would be “safe for work” and not explicit, reassuring his fans that he was still focused on maintaining his image as a professional athlete.
Lee had previously appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2021, where he placed fifth.
A Legacy to Remember
In recognition of his achievements, Lee was awarded an MBE in 2022 for his services to diving.
As he steps away from the sport, his fans and the diving community will undoubtedly remember his contributions to British diving, as well as his memorable moments in the pool.