Olympic gold medallist diver Matty Lee has spoken out about the financial and emotional challenges he has faced since retiring from the sport, while also criticising International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry's recent comments that athletes should not be paid at the Olympic Games.
In an interview at Bramley Baths in Leeds, Lee described the stark reality of life after elite sport. 'It's like I've already got an open wound and you're stabbing me in it,' he said, referring to Coventry's remarks. The IOC confirmed it made $12.4bn (£9.2bn) between 2021 and 2024, yet Lee, who won gold in the 10m synchronised platform with Tom Daley at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, revealed his own financial struggles.
A hidden world of struggle
Lee, 28, spoke candidly about his daily battles. 'I know how much hard work I put into diving. Nineteen years of doing the same thing, being so regimented and always having a purpose, and loving it. But now I don't have any real purpose in life and I've not got a wedge of money. I've not got a house, I've not got a mortgage. I've not got many assets. It's 18 months since I retired and I still feel the same as I did in January 2025. I wake up every morning and don't feel that happy.'
When asked if he was depressed, Lee replied: 'Yes, sometimes, 100%. There've been times where I've looked at my medal and thought: I wished it had never happened.' He admitted to considering becoming a bartender, but feared getting stuck in a job that wouldn't fulfil him. 'I think there's still more of my story to be told but, right now, I'm trying to figure it out.'
Coventry's controversial stance
Coventry, a former swimmer who won seven Olympic medals, later clarified her statement on the IOC's Athlete365 Instagram account, saying she misspoke and meant 'prize money' for medallists rather than overall athlete compensation. She argued that prize money only benefits a small minority, while the IOC aims to fund wider athlete pathways.
Lee was unimpressed. 'I'm disappointed and I'm not alone. Many athletes spoke up but it's mainly retired Olympians who are talking about it. I know why. When you're in sport, especially Olympic sport, you don't want to upset anyone. Not many current athletes are speaking because they feel they can't. That's how I felt. It upsets me because it's obvious that the system needs change.'
The road to gold
Lee began diving at age seven, following his older brother Tom. He improved steadily, winning medals at European junior and senior championships. In 2018, he was invited to become Daley's partner in the 10m synchro, moving from Leeds to London to train with his hero. Despite financial pressures, Lee felt grateful for the opportunity.
The pair went unbeaten in 2021, winning the Europeans, World Cup, nationals and Olympics. 'Everything aligned and all the years of training paid off,' Lee said. He described the final dive in Tokyo as a 'flow state', feeling like he was watching himself dive. The Chinese pair, Cao Yuan and Chen Aisen, were favourites, but Lee and Daley clinched gold.
Personal tragedy and injury
Lee's father, Tim, died suddenly from an aneurysm in October 2022. The loss was devastating, compounded by a series of injuries that eventually required major back surgery, ending his career. Before that, he was replaced by Noah Williams as Daley's partner for the 2024 Olympics. 'I felt shunted to the side and very hard done by,' Lee said.
He suffered his first panic attack a year ago this month. 'I was struggling loads with my anxiety and that's one of the main reasons why I came back to Leeds.' Lee and his girlfriend Molly attended an event at Silverstone, where he couldn't speak, sweating and feeling sick. 'From that point I was more fearful because I knew what had happened, and that it can happen at any point.'
Financial pressures and podcast
Lee launched a podcast, The After Dive, featuring interviews with former sports stars like Rebecca Adlington. But he admitted: 'The reason why I'm not doing Season Two yet is because I can't afford it. I'm losing money and haven't had a stable income since I retired.' He also struggles with feeling forgotten. 'You think: Oh, everyone's forgotten about me. Or I'll go to an event and none of the interviewers ask me anything. It hurts, especially when you've been at the top before.'
Recently, Lee visited his father's grave with Molly, feeling a lack of motivation. 'I'd looked at my bank account and I was like: Shit, that's going to run out if I don't start working my bum off. I was in a real awful place but I was like: This needs to stop.' He let out his emotions at the graveside, realising his father would still recognise him. 'I've felt better since then.'
Lee credits his girlfriend Molly for her support. 'She's actually never watched me compete, sadly. I try to remind her what I was like in my glory days – but I fell in love with her because she's very supportive and caring.'
Reflecting on the interview, Lee said: 'I spoke to Molly yesterday about this interview and I was like: I don't know how honest to be because I haven't done any interviews for a long time. And in the past they've just been about my diving result and good things. This is the first time I've done an interview where things aren't going that well. But that's why it feels so important to be honest now.'
