Gearóid meets athlete Oliver Dingley the olympic diver who changed nations to become the first diver in sixty eight years to represent Ireland in the Olympic games. He then made history by becoming the first Irish diver to make it to the final finishing a very respectable eighth position.
In order to compete for Ireland Oliver had to make big sacrifices. He moved to Ireland with his coach and he lives on campus in the national sports centre. He is by his own admission a bit of a hermit.
We chat about the psychology of staying focussed when the world is watching, free food at the olympics and meeting his idols.
Oliver Dingley came to prominence when in 2008 at the age of 15 he became the youngest ever British Men’s one meter springboard champion. He won the title again in 2009, 2011, 2013. In 2010 he won gold at the British cup for the three meter springboard.
Despite his success he wasn’t selected for a world cup or world championships. In Olympic trials for London 2012 he finished second. The divers that finished first and third were selected for team GB instead.
When he won bronze commonwealth games in 2014 he decided to change nations and dive for Ireland.Oliver’s commitment to his training is very impressive. He trains for 25 hours a week and has never been on a diet.