Bounding off a 10m board, cutting impossible shapes in the air at high speed and hitting the water with minimal splash... diving is a highly technical sport, but Ellie Cole makes it look effortless.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Sydney diving prodigy left jaws dropping all around the pool as she took on veterans of the sport to finish seventh in the 10m platform final, with a score of 333.30. It was a phenomenal achievement for an athlete at their first-ever Olympics–even more so when you consider Ellie was still in high school at the time.
Having grown up practising gymnastics, Ellie was introduced to diving at age 11; she describes it as “love at first dive”. She found success early, earning two gold medals at her first international competition, the American Cup in Indiana, USA. Now, with relentless training under her belt and the confidence gained from overcoming challenges, she has emerged as one of Australia’s most promising young athletes.
Diving is not Ellie’s only source of joy–she’s also passionate about STEM. A fantastic role model for young women interested in STEM, Ellie is very keen to inspire young people to pursue multiple areas of interest. “You don’t have to be just one thing,” she says.
Talking Points
BEYOND THE PL ATFORM – DIVING INTO RESILIENCE, RISK AND RISING ABOVE
From launching into the air at 10 metres high to balancing elite sport with high school exams, Ellie Cole’s Olympic journey is a lesson in courage, resilience and grace under pressure. In this powerful keynote, Ellie shares her story of rising through the ranks to become one of Australia’s most exciting platform divers–culminating in a breathtaking top-seven finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics, all while finishing high school. Audiences will get a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication, mental strength and recovery it takes to come back from injury–including the painful two-year road back from a stress fracture. With stories that are as inspiring as they are relatable, Ellie reflects on what it takes to chase big dreams, handle setbacks, and trust yourself when you’re flying through the air. A natural speaker with wisdom beyond her years, Ellie reminds us that excellence isn’t born, it’s built–dive by dive, day by day.
BEYOND THE PL ATFORM – DIVING INTO RESILIENCE, RISK AND RISING ABOVE
BRAINS AND BRAVERY – WHY YOU DON ’ T HAVE TO BE JUST ONE THING
Olympian. Inventor. Future engineer. Ellie Cole is living proof that passion doesn’t need to fit into one lane. In this inspiring and energising talk, Ellie breaks down the false divide between sport and science–and why chasing both has made her better at each. From developing an award-winning air quality monitor while training for the Olympics, to turning down a prestigious international science fair to compete for Australia in Paris, Ellie’s journey is one of purpose, passion and possibility. She speaks candidly about what it’s like to grow up in high-performance sport, the pressure of perfection, and the freedom that comes from choosing your own path–even if it’s not always the most obvious one. Perfect for STEM events, schools, youth programs and leadership forums, Ellie’s message is clear: you don’t have to shrink yourself to fit into a single box. You can be powerful and precise. Brave and brainy. And most of all, you can define success on your own terms.
BRAINS AND BRAVERY – WHY YOU DON ’ T HAVE TO BE JUST ONE THING
