Taylor's silver lining in Beijing after announcing retirement

By Daniel King, Mail on Sunday Sports News Correspondent Updated: 12:18 EST, 31 May 2008

Olympic silver medallist Leon Taylor will watch from the commentary box in Beijing as Tom Daley and the rest of the British diving team try to follow his shining example.

Taylor has accepted an offer from the BBC to work at this summer's Games after last week announcing his retirement from the sport because of a chronic lower back problem.

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The pinnacle of a 22-year, injury-plagued career was the silver medal he and Pete Waterfield won four years ago in the 10m synchronised competition in Athens, the first podium finish of the Games for Team GB and Britain's first in diving for 44 years.

Taylor, who will also be remembered for inventing the most difficult dive in the world, the backward two-and-a-half somersaults with two-and-a-half twists in the pike position, is disappointed to have been denied the opportunity to compete in his fourth Olympics.

But he is consoling himself with the thought he will be in Beijing to watch and support the British divers.

Taylor, who will continue his role as a team mentor, said: "It was the most difficult decision of my life, but every time I dived I was risking my health.

"It won't be easy, but at least I will be in Beijing watching the Games live, rather than at home on TV, which would be unbearable.

"I'm looking forward to helping Tom and the rest of the team. In Athens, 80 per cent of the team had been to the Olympics before, but this time 80 per cent have not, and my experience could be invaluable in helping everyone to perform to their potential."

One regret Taylor has is that he has never competed individually against Daley, the prodigy he has mentored who this year became European champion at 13.

Taylor guards against pinning medal hopes on Daley in the 10m individual or the synchro event with partner Blake Aldridge, adding: "I'm just excited for Tom to gain the experience which will set him up for the next Olympic cycle."