Olympic champion Matty Lee has retired from diving after a career that has seen him step on to every major international podium.
The unforgettable highlight of those medal moments came when he and Tom Daley dived to a glorious Olympic gold in the Men's 10m Synchro at Tokyo 2020 after a staggering performance saw them finish a dramatic 1.2 points clear of China's Cao Yuan and Chen Aisen.
Lee and Daley had won European and World Aquatics Diving World Cup gold together in the same event in the months leading up to Tokyo - as well as World Championship bronze in 2019 - before Matty teamed up with Noah Williams in the following two years to achieve more international success.
Together, Matty and Noah won a wonderful World Championship silver and became Commonwealth Games champions in 2022, with the Aquatics GB Performance Centre London man also taking individual bronze in the Men's 10m Platform at that year's Commonwealths.
Among his other successes, Matty - who made his World Championship debut aged only 17 in 2015 - won Mixed 10m Synchro silver alongside Lois Toulson at the 2017 World Championships and 2018 European Championships, and was a European Games champion in the Men's 10m Platform three years previous.
Having undergone surgery on his spine in early 2024, the 26-year-old has now decided to move on to the next stage of his career - and he is excited for whatever that may be, while reflecting on some incredible moments that diving has given him.
Confirming his retirement on Instagram, Matty said: "After 20 years in the sport, it’s time for me to step away from diving. This decision hasn’t been easy, but after losing my dad in 2022, I struggled to find the same passion I once had, he was my why. Then came injuries, surgeries, and the realization that I don’t want to be a broken man moving forward.
"Diving has given me the world, literally. The people I’ve met, the places I’ve traveled, the memories I’ve made. That’s what I’ll cherish the most. To my incredible family. Dad, my biggest fan, I hope I made you proud. Tom, my brother, my inspiration. Mum, for always being there, through the highs and lows, the early mornings, the long drives, the endless support. To my team. Jane, who shaped me into a champion. Gareth, who kept me moving when it mattered most. Brit, who made me believe in my own strength. And of course, to my synchro partner Tom Daley, what a journey, what a moment we shared. Olympic Champions forever.
"To every coach and staff member who played a role in my career, thank you. From the first coach who sparked my love for diving to the last who guided me through my final chapter, everything I’ve achieved is because of you. Your support, knowledge, and dedication never went unnoticed. To my closest friends. You never pulled me away from my sport, you lifted me up through it. Your support, laughter, and belief in me meant more than you’ll ever know.
"To my fans and followers, thank you for your unwavering support, through every dive, every challenge, every triumph. You made this journey even more special. And finally to the doubters, thank you too. You kept me hungry. You made me push harder. And in the end, I proved to myself that I could achieve more than I ever imagined.
"What’s next? Honestly, I don’t know. And that’s both terrifying and exciting. But I do know this, there’s more to life than diving, and I’m ready for it."