There was nobody prouder than Louise Bishop when diver Anthony Harding stood on the podium receiving an Olympic medal.
Louise was the 24-year-old’s coach when he made his first splash in the sport at Oldham Sports Centre.
“I was very proud, ecstatic and on a wave of emotion all weekend because I knew of the effort which had gone into it from Anthony, his parents, family, team-mates and friends,” explained Louise who travelled to Paris to witness him winning bronze with Jack Laugher in the men’s synchronised three-metre event.
And there was an emotional reunion later at the Team Pavilion with Anthony who had earlier spotted Louise poolside.
“Anthony threw his arms around me and gave me the biggest hug and said ‘thank you’,” she continued.
Anthony’s adventures began at the age of five and three quarters – remember how Adrian Mole’s secret diaries were aged 13 and three quarters.
That was when the youngster from Ashton-under-Lyne signed up for a learn to dive programme at Oldham Sports Centre.
And Louise, who was Anthony’s first coach, quickly realised he was a special talent who was destined for great things.
“When I met Anthony aged five, he entered the water like a penny with no splash – he was a natural diver which is why I took him on to the programme early,” she said.
“There is footage of him aged six of and the way he entered the water was so natural. He was so tiny and that enabled to rotate so quickly when doing somersaults.
“I cannot believe the size he has grown up to be – he was always supposed to be tiny.”
And even in those long-gone days, Anthony had his sights set on the Olympics.
“A university student produced a short documentary about Anthony as part of her studies and there is footage of him aged six saying he wanted to go to the Olympics,” explained Louise who also coached him at Oldham Diving Club up to the age of nine.
She revealed that youngsters had to be aged six to go on the learn to dive programme because younger children often struggled in deeper water, but she made an exception with Anthony.
Louise, who coached Anthony with the late Geoff Eccles, added there were a few initial tears, explaining: “Anthony was a timid boy, but he loved diving.
“He was always good on the one-metre board but struggled with the height when he went on to the three-metre at such a young age.”
Anthony joined City of Leeds Diving Club aged nine and that meant huge sacrifices by his family as, while still at school, he travelled over the M62 six times a week.
Louise, who lives at Grains Bar, Saddleworth, said: “Anthony’s parents Louize and Paul invested a lot of money in the adventure and made many sacrifices.
“I don’t think they have had a proper family holiday for 18 years – they took them to watch Anthony competing.
“Anthony’s parents and sister have contributed more than anyone – they made huge sacrifices – but it has paid off.
“If you want to reach the top, you need to have talent, the desire and have the support. Take away any part of the trilogy and you will not make it.”
Louise added that Anthony, who had his photo taken aged six with his diving idol Leon Taylor, is a “humble individual”.
“It shows how far he has come that Leon, his Olympic idol, now wants his photo taken with Anthony,” explained Louise who was part of a 11-strong family group that travelled to Paris.
Louise believes this is just the beginning of the Olympic journey for Anthony who now has the 2028 Games in Los Angeles in his sights.
Anthony claimed a silver medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but really hit the big time after being paired with four-time Olympian Jack Laugher in the men’s three-metre synchro.
The pair won silver at the 2022 World Championships, their first major competition together and that year the pair also won Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham and claimed European Championship gold
There was a further silver with Laugher in the same event at the 2023 World Championships.
Laugher, in his fourth Olympics, earned an Olympic gold medal in the same event at Rio 2016 alongside Chris Mears, before teaming up with Dan Goodfellow in Tokyo, finishing seventh.
* It was also a special moment for me as I have also been a part of Anthony’s journey to Olympic glory, having reported on his exploits from the age of five and three quarters for the Oldham Evening Chronicle.
Sadly, Oldham Diving Club, which also produced 1992 Olympian Naomi Bishop, is no longer in existence.
When Oldham Sports Centre was demolished and replaced, there was no provision made for a diving pool in the new building so there will be no further Olympic divers from the town.