Jack Laugher, a seasoned diver with three Olympic Games under his belt, is taking on the role of a veteran mentor as he prepares for his fourth Olympic appearance in Paris. At age 29, Laugher brings a wealth of experience to the team, guiding his younger teammate, Anthony Harding, in their synchronized diving partnership.Jack Laugher, a seasoned diver with three Olympic Games under his belt, is taking on the role of a veteran mentor as he prepares for his fourth Olympic appearance in Paris. At age 29, Laugher brings a wealth of experience to the team, guiding his younger teammate, Anthony Harding, in their synchronized diving partnership. Laugher candidly addresses his past mental health struggles leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, where he earned an individual bronze medal. Despite the absence of fans, he felt a sense of emptiness in the competition. However, Laugher has emerged stronger and more focused on enjoying his sport. Paired with the 24-year-old Harding, Laugher has found an instant connection, earning a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships and gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. While their contrasting music tastes reflect their different ages, Laugher acknowledges that his maturity has led him to prefer a calmer state of mind during competitions. Laugher’s presence as an “old soul” provides a sense of stability and guidance to the diving team. He has achieved his ultimate goal of an Olympic gold medal, but the desire to contribute to his legacy drives him to strive for further success in Paris.
He’s not yet 30, but Jack Laugher says he’s enjoying the role of an “old soul” as he prepares for his fourth Olympic Games in Paris.
The 2016 diving gold medallist emerged unscathed from the turbulent period in Tokyo and hopes a more sensible approach will pay off alongside his new synchro diving partner, Anthony Harding, who will be competing in the French capital for the first time at the Games.
“I feel like I bring a fatherly feeling to the team,” said Laugher, a relative veteran who made his Olympic debut at London 2012 at age 17, where he failed to reach the semi-finals.
Jack Laugher fought for a bronze medal in Tokyo (David Davies/PA)
Laugher has been candid about his mental health struggles in the lead-up to Tokyo, an event where the addition of an individual bronze medal to his medal haul didn’t entirely alleviate the sense of lack of something, despite the absence of a bronze medal at the Games, which took place in front of largely empty stands.
“The road to Tokyo was bumpy, my mental state was bad, so not having fans maybe took a little bit of the pressure off me, but in that sense it also felt like a flat competition,” Laugher added.
“But I feel like I’ve overcome all those things really well and I’m in a much better place now. I’m really enjoying my sport at the moment and I feel like I still have plenty of time.”
Laugher joined Harding after splitting from former partner Dan Goodfellow, with whom he finished a disappointing seventh in Tokyo. The new pair formed an almost instant partnership, winning a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships and gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Laugher made his Olympic debut as a teenager in London (Tony Marshall/PA)
“I’m not as young as I was and that makes it harder, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that things are going to be a little slower and a little harder,” Laugher said.
“I’ve achieved what every athlete wants to achieve, an Olympic gold medal, which means every time I go out to compete now it’s a bit of a blessing. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to contribute to that number, and dream of standing on that podium and winning it again.”
Laugher won gold at the Commonwealth Games alongside new team-mate Anthony Harding, left (Tim Goode/PA)
“My taste in music has changed a lot,” Laugher said. “I don’t like to be in that elevated state of all guns blazing, it’s not the state I like to compete in anymore. I listen to a lot of easy listening, whereas Anthony just turned 24 and is into everything that I don’t give a damn about anymore.”
:: Jack Laugher MBE is one of Old El Paso Home’s team heroes and features in the brand’s latest campaign, Make Some Noise for your Home Team, which showcases the unique flavors everyone brings to the table
