About Leon

Leon's passion for everything he does has helped him achieve sustained success at the highest level. Considered a feat in itself for such a physically punishing sport, his career lasted more than 20 years and his successes brought diving to the attention of the British public.

Training in the pre-lottery funding era in a minority sport brought its challenges but in the Athens Olympics of 2004, Leon and his diving partner Peter Waterfield, managed to secure Britain's first medal in the sport for 44 years. An honour which led to additional investment in the sport and the development of a new crop of British talent.

Among other interests, Leon now works as a TV presenter, mentor to members of the British team, athlete ambassador for London 2012 and speaker to corporate and other audiences. In his role as a speaker, he is enthusiastic about spreading his message of personal achievement by using the same techniques he used to beat the odds and achieve Olympic success.

Background

Leon was a hyperactive child and his parents were advised by doctors to channel his energy and enthusiasm into sport. As a result, he was introduced to swimming and gymnastics from the age of two and started diving as "just another sport" when he was eight. Three years later, Leon was under 12 national champion.

Leon recovered from two separate shoulder surgeries to win a silver medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. He later fulfilled a life-time ambition with his 2004 Olympic Silver medal in Athens. In addition, Leon has won medals at all major championships and is known throughout the sport for inventing the World's most difficult dive.