Olympic champion Jack Laugher pays tribute after death of swimming coach

Olympic diving champion Jack Laugher has paid tribute to his first swimming coach, following her death at the age of 90.

Sylvia Grice, from Ripon, taught thousands of people to swim, including the 2016 Olympic gold medallist.

She was awarded an MBE for her service to swimming in 2010 and given the Freedom of the City of Ripon in 2019.

Following her death, Laugher described her as "a beautiful soul who I'll miss greatly".

For more than 40 years, Mrs Grice taught thousand of people to swim at all levels, including disabled children and adults.

In 1985 she was made lead swimming teacher at Ripon Spa Baths.

Yorkshire-born Laugher won gold and silver in diving at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

He also picked up three gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia and a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

In an Instagram post, with a picture of him posing with his arm around Mrs Grice, he said: "Goodbye to Sylvia Grice MBE, a lady who dedicated her life to teaching most of Ripon to swim and an overall legend.

"A beautiful soul who I'll miss greatly. Rest in peace Sylvia xx."

A statement shared on the Ripon Grammar School Facebook page added: "Very sad news. Mrs Grice taught many youngsters to swim in the Ripon Grammar School pool and touched so many lives in the area. Our thoughts are with her family and friends."

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