Olympic gold medallist Chris Mears has announced his retirement from competitive diving, saying he has moved into a career in the music industry.
The 26-year-old, who won Britain’s first Olympic diving gold medal with Jack Laugher in the three-metre synchronised event in Rio in 2016, had been on a break from his sport since December 2018.
Mears said: “What a journey! From a seven year old kid with too much energy, somersaulting off of anything and worrying my parents to death, to Olympic champion with jacklaugher!”
The Reading-born athlete paid tribute to those who had helped him along the way in his hometown as well as in Southampton and Leeds, where he began synchronised diving with Laugher.
He added: “I’ve had a career full of amazing memories, friendships and experiences I’ll always look back on and smile. I’ve learned lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life!”
Mears and Laugher won gold medals in the three-metre event at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, as well as European Championship gold and silver in 2016 and 2018 respectively and bronze at the 2015 World Championships.
Mears, who has been a producer and DJ since 2015, said he will continue to be active on the music label he runs with his cousin.
Laugher has paired with Dan Goodfellow to chase Olympic gold in Japan.
PA
