Brian Phelps

Who is Brian Phelps?

Brian Eric Phelps is an English former diver. He won the gold medal in the 10 metre platform at the 1958 European Championships in Budapest, Hungary, at the age of 14 and again in 1962 at age 18. He competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome at the age of 16, where he took bronze in the 10 metre platform event. He was also Commonwealth gold medallist in the 1962 and 1966 games on the 10 metre platform and the 3 metre springboard.

Phelps then went on to found the OLGA trampoline club along with his wife, Monica Rutherford, an Olympic artistic gymnast. The club, based in the South of England, has generated many international performers since its opening. These include current coach Nigel Rendell whose son, Luke Rendell, is a current international performer and Tom and Hannah Lewis, both of whom have won major titles, Hannah's being the 2003 European championships with Tom's the 2005 World Age Championship win. Brian Camp, one of Phelps's main prodigies performs regularly with the world's best. Another club member has been Claire Wright. Other OLGA performers include Danielle Pietruszka and Katy Ianson.

Phelps is now retired and before his imprisonment was living in France. He is a former commentator on diving for the Eurosport television channel.