Felix Wheeler: The Leeds diving star eyeing LA Olympics 2028 with Tom Daley influence and Jack Laugher help

In the latest of our big interview features, Lee Sobot catches up with the City of Leeds Diving Club's 14-year-old rising star Felix Wheeler, fresh from being Highly Commended in the Young Sportsperson of the Year category at the 2026 Leeds Sports Awards.

Felix, there are always a lot of big names at the Leeds Sports Awards - so what was that like for you?

"I feel quite proud and happy that I got nominated and I got shown out - to even get nominated to get to this stage. Sometimes it's quite intimidating, watching all the bigger names and bigger people, but it's also looking up to them and inspiring to be like them to hopefully being one of them myself too."

These stars are all obviously all flying the flag not just for their country but also for Leeds - and so are you now - so what does that mean to you?

"It's always meant quite a lot. I've done diving since I was four years old so a lot of my praise and help has always gone to my family and coaches. I'm just really grateful and thankful for everyone that's helped me to get to where I am today."

You say you were four years old when you started! Can you remember why and how?

"I was having tea one night in front of the telly and I saw it on the television. My dad has dedicated his life to trying to support mine and he works in Leeds where obviously there is the pool at the John Charles where he goes sometimes. I thought there's a diving facility there so I can try and go in there."

Can you remember who it was your watching that provided the inspiration?

"I think it was Tom Daley on the platform. I can't remember what competition it was but I saw it and thought I want to give that a try to get to where he is now."

What was it like growing up at the diving club then with stars like Jack Laugher there too?

"Sometimes I trained with Jack. It was really inspirational training with him, just talking with him and just being around him. Jack is such a big inspiration to look up to. Being able to trade alongside him, even speaking to him, is just an amazing opportunity. We don't train with him as much any more because he has moved to Sheffield but he does pop in from time to time to speak to a lot of us and have a nice session with us all. We get along really well."

What have been your career highs so far then Felix?

"I have just finished the nationals where I came first on the springboard. I got injured in the platform but it was all right because I had already done other competitions. Last year I got picked for the Junior Europeans which is like a GB comp. That was like my GB breakthrough and taken me to where I am now. This year I have been to Stockholm, 9 Nations and Dresden and then a couple of weeks ago I got told I was going to the Junior Europeans again so it's been a good year this year and I'm just looking forward to what comes next. The Junior Europeans will be the biggest one I have done so far and if I do well enough in those then hopefully I can go to the Junior Worlds which are every other year."

As you're still only 14 you'll only be 16 by the time the next Olympics come around at Los Angeles in 2028 - so is that too early then?

"I think the coming Olympics are doable but it would take a lot of hard work, dedication and effort to beat everyone. But the Olympics for the future is definitely what I am looking forward to. Hopefully I can just keep going with no injuries and just keep pushing. Even if it doesn't happen at first, it's having the resilience to come back and try again."

The Olympics at 16 really would be something - you don't think you would be too young then?

"There's a lot of competition on both the springboards and the platforms but it's not impossible. Anything's possible that you put your mind to, as my dad always told me. If you want something, if you put the hard work and dedication in you'll get there. That's the way I have got to look at it."

Who are your other coaches and inspirations then?

"I get coached by Marc Holdsworth and we have had our ups and downs but no matter what and where we have been he has always stood by my side. He's made me a better person today and a better diver."

What are your best events then?

"Last year at the Junior Europeans I did the platform - seven to ten metres. This year I've been selected for all of them but it's just if my injury gets better to go up to platform so at the minute I'm just going to be doing the springboards."

What injury did you get then?

"I got a tricep injury, pulled a muscle inside my tricep which prevented me from grabbing as hard as I could. I was in a bit of pain but it's getting better now. I had an MRI and scans and physio and it's getting better. We're just taking a nice and steady to get back up there."

And all of this will be alongside school too! So how is that all going?

"I'm at Holmfirth High and still on track with school. You just have to balance it. I finish school a little bit early and get to diving a little bit later. School is fine with that, just as long as I keep on with my work. They're really supportive and helpful. If there's anything I missed that they think is important they'll always fill me in with it."

So how does your week generally look then?

"Monday I just have single training, school from eight til three o clock ish. The same with Tuesday and then Wednesday I come out at school at 12 to go to a double diving session from one to six and then the same for Thursday and Friday. And then Saturday depending on the timings it's either 6.30 until 8.30 or 8.30 until 11 so you get seven times a week, seven to nine usually and you've got Sunday off to rest and recover. Then it's back to it on the Monday."

How do you find dealing with all that at such a young age?

"It was a lot for me moving into the squad at first. But I got used to it, and a lot of my teammates were really supportive and helpful with how to come around and deal with it. I had one coach called Aston who always supported me, I had him from when I was four until 11 years old I think it was. He pushed me as far as he could and he was amazing."

So just finally Felix what it would if you could be the next Tom Daley or the next Jack Laugher?

"It would be phenomenal. It would be such a great achievement, just to give what I have back to other people and show them that anything you want to do you can do."