Chris Mears (diver)
A British diver who battled life-threatening illness to clinch a historic, first-ever Olympic diving gold for his country.
Born 1993 (age 33)·British diver·Birthday: February 7·Millennials
Biography
Chris Mears's story is one of dramatic triumph over adversity. As a teenager, the promising diver from Reading contracted Epstein-Barr virus, which led to a ruptured spleen; he was given only a 5% chance of survival and underwent emergency surgery. His recovery and return to the pool were nothing short of miraculous. Partnered with Jack Laugher, Mears channeled this second chance into precision on the springboard. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, their flawless synchronisation in the men's 3m synchro event broke Britain's long wait for a diving gold, a moment of pure national catharsis. Since retiring from sport, he has pursued a parallel passion as a music producer and DJ, crafting a new rhythm for his post-athletic life.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chris was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Great Britain's first-ever Olympic gold medal in diving at the 2016 Rio Games in the men's synchronized 3m springboard.
- Secured a European Championship gold medal in the same event with partner Jack Laugher in 2016.
- Overcame a near-fatal medical crisis as a teenager to return to world-class athletic competition.
Did You Know?
He is a trained music producer and DJ, releasing tracks under the name 'CME'.
He has a large tattoo of the Olympic rings and the date of his gold medal win on his torso.
During his life-saving surgery, he lost five pints of blood and his heart stopped for several minutes.
“I stared at a hospital ceiling and decided to fight for the springboard.”
