Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Jul 2021

Last Updated: 28/07/2021

Community

'I'm proud of Jack... it just wasn't his day', says mum Jackie Laugher

by Tim Flanagan

| 28 Jul, 2021

Olympic diver and former Ripon Grammar School pupil Jack Laugher may have had a bad day but he remains a local hero. Mum Jackie speaks of her pride in her son 'who will always call Littlethorpe his home'.

There was Olympic disappointment for Jack Laugher and his diving partner Daniel Goodfellow in Tokyo this morning as they finished out of the medals in seventh place.

Laugher, who was born and bred in the Ripon area, still has the opportunity of adding to the gold and silver medals he won in Rio when he competes in next week's individual three-metre springboard event.

His mother Jackie, who watched with her husband, David, at their Littlethorpe home, told the Stray Ferret:

"From the start it didn't look like it was going to be their day, but they are a relatively new team.

"I'm immensely proud of Jack, he's a wonderful son, great sportsman and role model, but above all he's a lovely person who will always call Littlethorpe his home."

Family friend Helen Mackenzie, who was in Rio with Jackie to see Jack's gold and silver medal performances in 2016, said:

"It is testimony to their determination and mental toughness that, following five below par dives, he and Daniel achieved their best score in the final one which, with a tariff of 3.9, is the world's most difficult dive.

"This bodes well for next week, when Jack takes part in the individual event."

Ripon ready to rock

City council wants to keep its hands on Ripon assets

Gemma Williams, who like Jackie and Helen is a member of Ripon City Netball Club, said:

"I love and feel pride by proxy, seeing Jack and Dan compete - not the result they would want, but still an amazing achievement."

Leanne Jalland, chair of Harrogate District Diving Club, where Jack used to train, also spoke of its pride in the pair despite today's outcome.

"It was a high standard competition but unfortunately it was not their day today. That's diving as a sport for you, anything can happen and it all comes down to the dives on the day.

"That last dive showed a glimpse of what they are capable of and we are confident that both Jack and Dan have got the strength of character to come back stronger from this."

Thank you for your interest in this story

'I'm proud of Jack... it just wasn't his day', says mum Jackie Laugher

Read more: