Jordan Houlden’s journey from being unable to swim at his taster session to Paris

With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games around the corner, we’re taking a closer look at some of our aquatics athletes who are representing Team GB in the French capital this summer.

City of Sheffield diver Jordan Houlden, didn’t even know how to swim when he attended his first diving taster session.

Sixteen years on he’s heading to his first Olympic Games in the French capital where he’ll be a part of the Men’s 3m Springboard event.

Reflecting back on his start in the sport he said: “I was always quite a sporty person, riding my BMX on a weekend, I’d do gymnastics on Wednesday’s, boxing on a Saturday, Karate on another day. I would always be doing something.

“One day the coaches from Ponds Forge came into school as they go around talent testing and because I was good at gymnastics and it kind of falls into diving they asked me to come in for a three-day taster event.

“But I’d never tried to go and swim before, never had any lessons and here I was going for this taster session.

“I remember each day was an hour on dryland and an hour in the pool and on the first day I would not get in the water. I just looked at it and I thought – that is too deep for me!

“Second day, I jumped in from poolside and like scrambled to get back out and then the third day I jumped off 1m and the coach had like a pole which I could jump and hold onto so they could help me get out.

“Now 16 years later I’m going to the Olympic Games for diving, it’s just mind blowing. Anyone can do it, no matter where you’re from.”

“Showing what Sheffield has to offer”

Despite this being his first Olympics, Houlden has plenty of international experience as he prepares for his first games.

At the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games he represented Team England in the same event and came away with a silver medal and has competed at multiple World and European Championships.

He was only officially announced for the squad in June and is hoping to make a final in Paris.

“It was a surreal feeling. After nationals I didn’t really know until I was officially told so that took a lot of relief off my shoulders as I was basically sat waiting around for that call.

“And when it came it was that relief and I got a bit emotional, little cry came out and my friends and family were quite emotional as well.”

“It’s been a really long road to get there even now but my hopes are to get into a final.

“There’s always a small chance of a medal so there’s a chance of that but first things first is to make the final.”

Ever since that first diving session, he’s been a part of his home town club in City of Sheffield and is looking forward to representing them on the biggest stage.

“I’m Sheffield born and bred. I’ve always been there, I haven’t moved really. It’s been my home town and to do it for Sheffield is a big thing.

“My friends and family always support me and we’re quite a close group and it’s just nice to show what Sheffield has to offer.”