Olympic Memories

Self-taught Scottish diver Peter Heatly was 24 when he was called up to the Great Britain team for his first major international event.

He recalls the mood surrounding the 1948 Games as one of excitement and wonder.

"Everyone was fascinated with the fact they were being held in London," he says. "It felt like a new start after the war. The world had taken a better turn.

"Everything is so sophisticated nowadays but the great thing in 1948 was just to have been there.

"I can remember the Wembley pool very well and the great capacity audiences.

"I suppose I was a bit of a celebrity but I never thought of it that way. I was too busy trying to do well and I was so absorbed by meeting so many people from all over the world. The whole thing was a great excitement."

Heatly, who is now 88, came fifth in the highboard diving in 1948 and went on to win gold medals for Scotland in the 1950, 1954 and 1958 Commonwealth Games.

He was chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation from 1982 to 1990, was knighted in 1990 for his services to sport and was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 .

Despite his status, Heatly is well aware that when he turns up to watch the men's diving at London 2012, someone else will be hogging the limelight.

"I've met Tom Daley before and he is a delightful young fellow," says Heatly. "He has done very well so far and has a great chance."