Diving champions pay tribute after death of British coach David Jenkins
The Olympic champions Matty Lee and Jack Laugher have paid tribute to the British diving coach David Jenkins, who died at the weekend aged 31.
Jenkins was a member of the coaching team at the Tokyo Olympics and also a regular at world and European championships and the Commonwealth Games.
Lee, who teamed up with Tom Daley to clinch the men’s synchro title in Japan this summer, revealed that Jenkins had recently become his coach. He wrote on his Instagram story: “He was one of those people nobody disliked – a true gent with a beautiful personality.”
Laugher, who won gold in Rio in 2016, wrote on social media: “Words cannot describe how devastated I am. A great man, friend and coach. You will be truly missed.”
British Swimming paid tribute to Jenkins, and said it would be working closely with athletes and staff affected by the news. Its statement read: “It is with immense sadness that British Swimming can confirm the death of diving coach David Jenkins over the weekend.
“All our thoughts and condolences go out to David’s wife, family and friends, and we please ask that their privacy, and that of the British diving community, be respected at this difficult time. We will be working closely with staff and athletes who have been affected by this awful news.”
