An Olympic medallist who competed in the diving at Paris 2024 began his career in Oldham when he was just a child.

Anthony Harding, who was born in Royal Oldham Hospital, first began diving when he was just five years old at Oldham Sports Centre (now Oldham Leisure Centre).

After making his adult Olympic debut this year at Paris 2024, Harding secured a bronze medal for his performance in the Men's Synchronised 3m Springboard.

Harding competed with diving partner, Jack Laugher, who is a seasoned Olympian and has now secured medals in three successive games.

The 24-year-old joined forces with Laugher, who won Gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, in 2021 and has now won medals at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and European and Worldwide Championships. 

Harding was a member of Oldham's Diving Club from the age of five and unveiled a golden plaque at Oldham Leisure Centre after securing a gold medal in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, again diving with Jack Laugher.

While unveiling the plaque, the Olympian said: "I started swimming at Oldham Sports Centre as a young child and joined the diving club when I was almost six years old.  

"I really didn’t want to start diving, it was quite scary and there were tears at first, but my parents and my first coach, Louise, really encouraged me, and I soon grew to love the sport.

He added: “Oldham’s Diving Club was instrumental to my career, and my second coach, the legend, Geoff Eccles, who sadly is no longer with us, was significant in giving me the belief I could go far.  He was such an inspirational man and he would have been so proud of my success."

He also expressed that his main focus and dream was to compete in the Olympics, saying: "It’s something I have dreamed about for a long time.  Pairing up with my synchro partner, Jack Laugher, MBE, has been life changing and has been massive for my career.

"It’s been great to partner with such a successful diver, he’s taught me so much.

"Individually we have already achieved great accolades, but the Olympics in Paris is the coming together of our ambition."

Oldham Active has been approached for comment on Anthony's success.