Three-time Olympian Rebecca Gallantree admits she achieved more than she ever could have imagined after announcing her retirement from diving.
The 32-year-old has decided to bring an end to her time diving off the boards after a career that has seen her appear at every level of competition in the sport, winning World and Commonwealth titles along the way.
After making her senior debut in 2004, Gallantree appeared at her first Olympic Games at Beijing 2008 in the individual 3m springboard before doubling up with Alicia Blagg in the 3m synchro a year later.
The duo enjoyed considerable success together, including winning 3m synchro gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and appearing alongside one another in the same discipline at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games – Gallantree also competing in the individual competition at both.
In 2015, Gallantree was back on top of the podium, this time as a World Champion after winning the team event in Kazan alongside Tom Daley. A year later, she enjoyed her best Olympic finish with sixth in the 3m synchro with Blagg in Rio.
Gallantree, who trained in Leeds, intends to give back to the sport in the coming years but for now will go travelling for the next few months.
"Diving has been a huge part of my life and has given me so many unforgettable opportunities and experiences," she told British Swimming. "It's allowed me to travel the world, to meet and work with countless amazing and inspirational people, and to work every day on being the best I can be.
"I have achieved more in my career than I ever thought possible. Representing Team GB at three Olympic Games, winning a Commonwealth gold medal with Alicia, and a World Championship gold medal with Tom, were all things that I would never have imagined ten years ago.
“Competing in front of a home crowd at London 2012, in particular, will always be one of my fondest memories.
“I hope that my diving career has helped show what can be achieved with passion, determination, and hard work.”
National Performance Director Alexei Evangulov paid tribute to Gallantree and her hard work and dedication.
“Rebecca has been a great ambassador for diving throughout her career,” he said.
“She has shown great skill in training and competition and I was really proud to see her win gold in Glasgow and Kazan.
“She has had a great career and I want to congratulate her on her successes and from myself and everyone at British Diving we wish her well for the future.”
Sportsbeat 2017