Commonwealth champion Reid announces retirement

Grace Reid has announced her retirement from diving at the age of 29, saying “it’s time for a new adventure and a new chapter”.

The two-time European champion and double Commonwealth gold medallist took part in her third successive Olympics at Paris 2024 and won silver and bronze at European, world and World Cup level.

Her last podium place came at last year’s World Championships in Doha, taking second in the 1m springboard two years on from her 3m mixed synchro Commonwealth gold with compatriot James Heatly at Birmingham 2022.

“After Paris a lot of people might have expected me to retire, but the biggest thing for me was loving my sport and getting to a point of feeling that I’d left no stone unturned – I achieved that this year on so many levels.

“Making another world championship team this summer, I just loved every second of it, but when I did my last dive in Singapore I knew that something was different.

Reid explained “it’s hard to narrow down” her proudest moments.

“I’ve got so much to be proud of that there’s not one thing that I’m holding on a pedestal, that’s for sure,” she said.

“Obviously making my first Olympic Games, I think will always be a standout because it was something I dreamed about as a little girl and to be able to qualify for one, let alone three, it was just a huge milestone.

“Then I think probably winning gold at Europeans in front of a home crowd in Edinburgh, that’s a memory I will hold on to for the rest of my days – to see my friends and family in the crowd as I had that moment and just knowing how I stepped up under pressure.

“My biggest supporters have definitely been my mum and dad, they have just been so unwavering in their support through good through bad. And, you know, I’ve been so lucky to have some incredible coaches that have guided me, in and out of the pool, and all the support staff; psychology, nutrition and just the physios that have held me together physically, as well as mentally.