David Jenkins, a member of Great Britain’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic coaching staff in diving, died over the weekend, British Swimming confirmed on Monday. He was 31.
Jenkins was the Development Lead Coach for Dive London, the country’s top diving programs based out of the London Aquatics Centre. He spent 8 years with that program. There he coached under renowned coach Jane Figueroda.
He was the coach of two young divers – Noah Williams and Scarlett Mew-Jensen – who both represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics. Williams placed 27th in the 10 meter platform event at 21 years old, while Mew-Jensen was 22nd in the 3-meter springboard event at 19 years old.
While Jenkins wasn’t their primary coach, Dive London is home to Olympic gold medalists Tom Daley and Matty Lee, who topped the 10 meter synchronized platform event in Tokyo.
Previously to that, Jenkins coached teams at both World and European Championship campaigns, as well as for Team England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. There, Williams won a silver medal in the Men’s 10m Synchro.
Jenkins was subsequently nominated for Diving Coach of the Year at the British Swimming Awards in 2018.
“David had a bright future ahead of him and will be greatly missed by everyone he worked with across British Diving and GLL,” British Swimming said in a statement.
Jane Nickerson, Swim England chief executive, said: “Everyone at Swim England is deeply saddened to hear of David’s passing.
“He was a highly-respected coach who played a key role in the development of several divers who have competed at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympics.
“He will be extremely missed poolside and our thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Swim England go out to his family and friends.”
No cause of death has been released.
Im sure he had his reasons & we need to respect that. . Unless there is associated sport issues , its private .
A cause of death is never private. It appears on a Death Certificate which is a public document. It is unhelpful when nothing is said because suicide is assumed – very unfair on the deceased’s family if it is untrue and pointless keeping it secret for a week if it is ‘suspected’. Privacy means nothing in this context once the death is announced.
what a tragedy, i hope the family has lots of support to cope with this
Who tf downvoted this
What!! So sad. Praying for his family and friends
rest in peace. such a young man