January 31, 2022
Ireland’s two-time Olympian Oliver Dingley has ended more than two decades of involvement in diving by officially announcing his retirement today. Dingley, made history in 2016, when he became the first diver to represent Ireland in 68 years, where he progressed to the final to finish 8th overall.
The Irish record holder, in both 1 metre and 3 metre springboard events, has spent the last seven years training as a full-time athlete at Swim Ireland’s National Centre Dublin, on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus.
Swim Ireland’s National Head Coach, Damian Ball, who first started coaching Oliver over 20 years ago said “I’ve been coaching Ollie for most of his diving life. Our journey together began back around 2000 when I was Head Coach of Harrogate District Diving Club and continued when I took over as Head Coach for Southend Diving from 2011-2015. I have many fond memories working with Oliver over the years and what a great career he has had in the sport.”
During Oliver’s 7 years as a senior international diver for Ireland, he has twice finished inside the top 8 at a World or Olympic event. He has even managed to complete a degree in Film & Broadcasting with the Technological University of Dublin. His commitment to diving and presence around the pool deck has undoubtedly inspired many young divers on the years.
The global pandemic and a postponed 2020 Olympic Games, certainly put Oliver’s determination, perseverance, and adaptability to the test during his final two years in the sport. Nevertheless, his came through and he fought a long and hard battle to reach his second Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021.
Damian Ball added “What Oliver has done for the sport of diving in Ireland is truly remarkable. He has placed himself in the history books by becoming the first Irish diver to compete at two Olympic Games and to reach a final in one of those Games is an incredible achievement. It hasn’t always been easy for Oliver, there’s been blood, sweat and tears along the way, but he has had a wonderful career and should be proud of everything he has accomplished.”
Ireland’s National Performance Director for swimming and diving, Jon Rudd commented, “Oliver’s contribution to aquatics in Ireland but particularly to the sport of diving, in proving to be such an inspiration for so many youngsters in the sport, cannot be underestimated or overstated. His achievements at the highest of levels in the sport will be lauded for decades to come and we have to sincerely thank key partners who have helped make this possible for him and us – in particular, Sport Ireland, the Sport Ireland Institute and the Technological University of Dublin. I sincerely hope that Oliver is not a stranger to diving in Ireland over the years to come and we wish him the very best for his life beyond that of the springboard”.
Swim Ireland would like to congratulate Oliver on a fantastic career, we are looking forward to seeing what’s in store in the coming years.
