At the end of this month, Ellie Cole will be heading to the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore as part of the Australian diving team, and she has recently been competing at the 2025 Australian Open Championships, winning two Gold medals – the Women’s 10m Platform and the Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform with Milly Puckeridge. Further competitions that Ellie has competed at this year were her first World Cup series in Guadalajara (Mexico), Windsor (Canada) and Beijing (China), where she competed in the Women’s 10m Platform, Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform with Ruby Drogemuller and the Mixed 3m and 10m Team event with Alysha Koloi, Cassiel Rousseau, Hudson Skinner and Maddison Keeney. Ellie qualified for the Women’s 10m Platform Final at the 2024 World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in November, and with her diving partner Ruby, she won Silver in the Girls’ Synchronised 10m Platform. For Team Australia, Ellie competed at her first Olympic Games at 17 years old at Paris 2024, and she competed at the American and Canada Cups in April and May last year, winning Gold at both Cups in the Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform with Ruby, as well as winning an individual Gold medal at the American Cup. Later this year, Ellie is moving to America to study engineering at Stanford University. Talking with us, Ellie told us about the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this month, becoming 2x champion at the 2025 Australian Open Championships and competing at her first Olympic Games last summer in Paris.
You are part of the Australian diving team heading to the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore at the end of July, what are you looking forward to for the competition and how are you preparing?
This is going to be my first World Championships, and I am really excited to be a part of it. I understand that they are a bit different to the format in the World Cups and the Olympics, because of the large number of competitors in each event (I have heard rumours that preliminary events can go for as long as six hours sometimes!). In terms of preparation, I have been focusing on perfecting the basics to enhance the quality and aesthetics of my diving ahead of Singapore.
At the 2025 Australian Open Championships, you came away with two Gold medals after becoming the champion in the Women’s 10m Platform and the Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform with Milly Puckeridge, what are the Australian Championships like to compete at?
The Australian Championships were a real mix of emotions for me, both in the lead-up and during the event. It was the first time I truly felt the pressure of high expectations, from others and from myself. In the past, I could kind of fly under the radar, but once you’re an Olympian, that changes. There’s a different kind of pressure that comes with that.
I was pretty nervous going in, but after the Synchro prelims, I started to settle. I just reminded myself to trust my training and take it one dive at a time.
Walking away with two Golds honestly meant so much. I’d been struggling with imposter syndrome earlier in the year, and those wins really helped remind me that I do belong on this team.
Earlier this year, you competed in your first World Cup series, how did you find the experience diving in Guadalajara (Mexico), Windsor (Canada) and Beijing (China)?
The World Cup series taught me so much, not just about elite competition but about myself. After Guadalajara and Windsor, I came away feeling pretty disappointed. I struggled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. It was the first time I had felt that way, and I didn’t know how to deal with it.
My coach (Chava Sobrino) was such a huge support for me during that time. He helped guide me through it, and I’m so grateful for everything he did in the lead-up to China. When I arrived in Beijing, I made a decision to change my mindset. I told myself that no matter what happened, I was going to enjoy the moment and have fun with it.
Looking back, I’m really proud of how I bounced back, walking away with 4th in Synchro and 5th in Individual, but more importantly a new mindset to competition and the sport.
The whole World Cup experience has really set me up for the World Championships. Diving at a national competition or Junior Worlds is one thing, but competing at senior open international events is a completely different experience. The level of pressure, the atmosphere, and the depth of talent pushed me in ways I hadn’t felt before. The experience I gained was immeasurable and has given me a new level of confidence and clarity in how I want to approach major meets going forward. It showed me what I’m capable of and helped me understand what it takes to compete with the best in the world.
Throughout the World Cup series, you competed in the Women’s 10m Platform, Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform (with Ruby Drogemuller) and the Mixed 3m & 10m Team (with Alysha Koloi, Cassiel Rousseau, Hudson Skinner and Maddison Keeney), how different do you find each of the three events to compete in and what do you enjoy about each?
Each event is really different to compete in, and that’s one of the things I love about them. I definitely enjoy the Team and Synchro events the most, because I have one or sometimes three other teammates who are alongside me. That shared energy really helps me stay grounded and enjoy the moment.
The Team event was also an amazing learning experience. It gave me the chance to watch and learn from some of the more experienced athletes on how they approach their routines and manage pressure in competition.
Competing four days in a row in both Mexico and Canada was definitely a challenge. It pushed me to build stamina and taught me how to quickly reset after each event so I could stay focused for the next one.
I do feel more internal pressure in the individual events because I tend to put higher expectations on myself. At the same time, I really enjoy competing individually because it pushes me to test my limits.
What was it like representing Team Australia at the 2024 World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in November and qualifying for the Women’s 10m Platform Final?
Junior Worlds was such a special experience. It was my first and also my last Junior World Championships, since I had been injured in the lead-up to the previous one. That made the whole experience feel even more meaningful. The team had an incredible dynamic, and everyone was really making the most of the opportunity.
It was also my first time competing in an outdoor pool, which came with its own set of challenges. I had to learn how things like wind, temperature, sunlight and even rain could affect my dives, and how to stay focused and adapt in those conditions. I usually train in an indoor pool, so it definitely showed me how important it is to get more outdoor competition experience.
That competition was a real challenge for me though. After the Olympics, I came home and went straight into studying for my final HSC exams and then went straight into Junior Worlds. It was a huge year, both physically and mentally. Despite all of that, I’m really grateful I had the chance to represent Australia on that stage. It’s something I’ll never forget.
Alongside your diving partner Ruby Drogemuller, you won Silver in the Girls’ Synchronised 10m Platform, how was it competing with Ruby in Rio de Janeiro and how did you feel collecting your medal?
I always love competing with Ruby, we are really close friends. Standing on the podium together in Rio was such a special moment. It felt like all the time, effort, and work we put in behind the scenes had paid off. Sharing that experience with a friend made it even more meaningful.
How was it being selected for your first Olympic Games in Paris last summer and what was it like making your Olympic debut at the age of 17?
Being selected for the Olympic Games at 17 was such a surreal experience. I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet that I’m actually an Olympian. It was honestly one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life.
Staying in the village with athletes from all over the world was incredible. The sense of community was something I’d never felt before. Everyone was so supportive, and the energy around the Games was amazing. Competing at that level felt fun and exciting rather than overwhelming and being surrounded by people who share the same drive and mindset made me feel welcomed and right at home in that environment.
How did you stay focused during your competitions at the Olympics and what are some of your favourite memories from your time in Paris?
At that stage, I didn’t feel the pressure to hit a certain ranking or score, so I treated it just like any other meet. I kept reminding myself that, in the end, it was still just five dives. That mindset really helped me stay calm and present.
Honestly, the competition ended up being one of my favourite parts of the whole trip.
Outside of the pool, I loved exploring the village with my teammates and having late-night chats in our rooms. We were sharing with athletes from diving, skateboarding and beach volleyball, so it was such a cool mix of people. Getting to know athletes from other sports, hearing their stories and building those connections made the whole experience even more special.
What was it like staying in the athletes village and attending the opening and closing ceremonies?
The athletes village and ceremonies were honestly so special. The whole community felt incredibly welcoming and motivated. There was this unspoken mutual respect throughout the village, because everyone understood the level of hard work and dedication it took to get there. Being surrounded by people who had all pushed themselves to reach that moment made it feel really special.
Can you tell us about competing at the American and Canada Cups in April and May 2024, where you won Gold at both competitions in the Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform with Ruby and individual Gold at the American Cup?
Competing at the American and Canada Cups was such a turning point for me. It was my first senior international competition, and to come away with three Gold medals was incredible. It gave me a real sense of belonging in the sport and showed me that I’m capable of achieving even more than I ever expected.
The jump from junior to senior level felt big and a little daunting at first, but once I was there, I found that I thrived in that environment. It actually made me fall in love with the sport even more. Those competitions gave me a huge confidence boost and really motivated me for what came next.
Where does your love of diving come from and how did you get into it?
I think my love of diving comes from a combination of things. I’ve always loved being active, I’ve always loved flipping, and I definitely have a bit of a perfectionist side. Diving is a sport where you are constantly striving for that perfect 10, and over the years I’ve fallen in love with the chase. It’s not really about being perfect but about pushing yourself to get as close as you can. That challenge keeps me coming back every day.
Were there any divers that inspired you when growing up?
Melissa Wu was my biggest inspiration in diving when I was growing up. She actually coached me when I was younger, so I really looked up to her both as an athlete and a mentor. Being on the Olympic team alongside her was such a special full-circle moment and something I’ll always remember.
You have accepted an offer to attend Stanford University later this year, how do you think it will be moving to America and combining a degree with elite sport?
I’m very used to juggling academics and sport, as I’ve done it throughout my entire school journey. Honestly, I don’t know what to do with myself when I’m not studying because it has become such a regular part of my routine. I know it will be a challenge to manage everything, but I enjoy keeping busy and I place a strong value on education and learning. I’m confident I’ll be able to find a good balance and enjoy the process along the way.
I can’t think of a better place in the world to study engineering, to be honest. I’m really interested in aerospace engineering, and the opportunity to learn from the best in the world while still being able to compete on the world stage is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Moving to the United States will definitely be a big change, and of course I’ll miss home, but I’m also really excited. Half of my family live on the East Coast of the US, and they’ve always made the effort to come and watch me compete whenever I’m in North America. They were at the American Cup and the World Cup in Canada. So, while I’ll be on the other side of the world, I’m also looking forward to seeing them more often and having that extra support close by.
What does a typical training day look like for you?
I usually have two sessions a day; a weights or dryland session in the morning for two hours and then pool for around three hours in the afternoon.
How do you like spending your time away from the pool?
Outside of training, I usually spend my time learning. I like to keep busy and I’ve always been someone who enjoys diving into new ideas and challenges. I also have career goals beyond sport, and I’m really passionate about engineering.
I also make time to hang out with friends and family. It’s important to me to have strong connections and relationships outside of diving. It helps keep me grounded and gives me balance in my life.
Apart from the World Aquatics Championships, do you have any competitions coming up that you can tell us about or that you are targeting?
The World Championships is the main focus for me this year, and it’s definitely the big one I’m working towards right now. After that, I’m really excited to begin competing at the collegiate level in the United States. It will be a completely new environment, and I’m looking forward to seeing how I adapt and grow through that experience.
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