Matthew Mitcham
Inspiring Olympic diver with a message of resilience and perseverance
An Olympic diver with the highest single-dive score in history, Matthew Mitcham has become an inspiration to many for his resilience in the face of professional and personal struggles.
Matthew began his sporting career as a trampoline gymnast, representing Australia at the World Junior Championships in 1999 and 2001 where he won the double mini-tramp event. He also competed at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, placing sixth.
His talent was recognised by Wang Tong Xiang of the Australian Institute of Sport Diving Program, who encouraged him to take up diving. With a new interest in diving, Matthew began incorporating diving techniques into his trampolining repertoire, before finally making the switch into diving.
Since then, Matthew has continued to excel in the sport, breaking records in recognition of his talent. In the 2002 World Junior Diving Championships, he placed 11th in the 1m springboards, 5th in the 3m, and 16th in the 10m platform. He returned to the Championships two years later, winning silver medals in the 1m and 3m synchronised events, as well as the 10m platform event. He would also go on to win the 1m, 3m, 10m and 3m synchronised titles in the 2004 Junior Nationals. At the 2004 Olympic Trials, Matthew continued to show his passion for diving, placing 3rd in the 3m and 10m individual events, as well as 2nd in the 3m and 10m synchronised events.
Under the skilful eyes of Coach Chava Sobrino, Matthew returned to diving in 2007. He won the 1m, 3m and 10m individual events at the 2008 Australian Nationals, before competing at and winning the Diving Grand Prix event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Matthew released his book ‘Twists and Turns’ in 2014. Covering everything from mental health to sexuality, Matthew recounts his own experiences in his professional career, how he overcame his own mental health struggles and accepted his sexuality as a gay man. Touring nationally, Matthew brought his story to life through theatre, song and storytelling.
More recently in 2023, Matthew was announced to be a recruit on the iconic TV program SAS Australia, where his athletic abilities and mental strength will be put to the test for Australian viewers.
As a professional speaker, Matthew Mitcham is upfront and honest about his own struggles and experiences. From his journey to success and the battles with depression and drug abuse, Matthew covers everything in a bid to motivate and inspire any audience to overcome the obstacles in their own lives.