| Occupation: |
Athlete and Professional Speaker |
2004 Athens Olympic silver medallist Leon Taylor is regarded as one of the world's top platform divers. He has a long and distinguished career having represented Great Britain since 1992 and is one of only a handful of divers to perform in competition the ‘hardest dive in the world’ - A backward 2 and ½ somersaults with 2 and ½ twists piked. He invented the dive in 1998 which had the world of diving holding their breadth and showed the diving fraternity the way forward.
He competes in two events, the 10m individual and the 10m Synchronised platform. In the 10m Synchronised platform two people perform the same dive simultaneously off the same platform and marks are given for execution and synchronization. Leon’s partner in this event is Southampton based diver Peter Waterfield. They have been synchro diving partners since 1995, when the event was first established. As a pair, they have won medals at all the major championships including the most coveted and prestigious to date the Olympic silver medal.
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| Career Highlights |
| 2005 |
| World Championships |
SILVER 10m Synchro |
| World Championships |
6th 10m individual |
| World Grand Prix USA |
GOLD 10m Individual |
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| 2004 |
| Olympic Games |
SILVER 10m synchro |
| Olympic Games |
6th 10m Individual |
| World Grand Prix USA |
SILVER 10m synchro |
World Grand Prix Canada
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SILVER 10m individual |
| World Grand Prix China |
BRONZE 10m synchro |
| World Grand Prix China |
BRONZE 10m individual |
| World Grand Prix Germany |
GOLD 10m synchro |
| World Grand Prix Germany |
BRONZE 10m individual |
| World Cup |
SILVER 10m synchro |
| World Cup |
6th 10m individual |
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| 2003 |
| World Championships |
4th 10m synchro
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| World Championships |
5th 10m individual |
| Grand Prix Super Final |
SILVER 10m synchro |
World Grand Prix – USA
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GOLD 10m synchro |
World Grand Prix – Canada
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GOLD 10m individual |
| World Grand Prix – Germany |
GOLD 10m individual |
| World Grand Prix – Germany |
BRONZE 10m synchro |
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| 2002 |
| Commonwealth Games |
SILVER 10m individual |
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| 2000 |
| Olympic Games |
4th 10m synchro |
| Olympic Games |
13th 10m individual |
| World Cup |
BRONZE 10m synchro |
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| 1999 |
| European Championships |
BRONZE 10m synchro |
| Grand Prix Super Final |
6th 10m individual |
| European Cup |
GOLD 10m individual |
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| 1998 |
| Commonwealth Games |
BRONZE 10m individual |
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| 1996 |
| Olympic Games, Atlanta |
18th 10m individual |
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| Leon Taylor - General Information |
First sporting success: Winning a Junior School's diving competition at the age of 8.
Finest sporting moment: Winning a silver medal in the 10m Synchro at the Athens Olympics in 2004
Tip for the top: Have fun!
First GB selection year: 1992
How and why get involved in diving: It was one of the many sports that I picked up as a youngster, I used to swim and do gymnastics so I combined the two!
Closest friend in sport: Peter Waterfield
Other sporting successes: I swam and did gymnastics before I took up diving
Favourite sport other than diving: I enjoy watching most sports, especially extreme sports that involve some form of speed or height, the ones that really get the adrenaline going. I'm also a Rugby Union fan
Most prized possession: Health
Biggest influence on your career: My Mum and Dad. Without their sacrifice I wouldn't have got where I am today!
Toughest opponent: Myself
Biggest passion away from diving: Having fun
Biggest disappointment: Coming 4th at the Sydney Olympics
How do you prepare to compete: I prepare thoroughly. The 6P's, Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance!
Favourite venue and why: Barcelona because of the amazing view
Tips to relax: Watch DVD's and go to the cinema
Family: My mum and dad are called Sue and Ray and I have a sister called Nadine
Ultimate ambition: To enjoy life everyday!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Having fun |
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