Meldreth diver Dan Goodfellow says he is ‘relieved the hard work paid off’ after claiming a debut Olympic synchronised 10m platform bronze alongside Tom Daley at Rio 2016 last month.

The Team GB duo were faced with ultimate pressure as they desperately clung to a medal placing going into the final dive of the competition.

However, they held their nerve to edge out Germany by six points and ensure a ‘lifelong dream’ came true for Goodfellow.

Speaking at his own meet and greet session at Luton’s Sports Village on Saturday, Goodfellow told the Crow: “It was absolutely amazing.

“I’m relieved that the hard work has paid off.

“I’m happy and sad that it’s all over because you train for four years leading up to this with every year training six hours a day and when you get that Olympic medal I think it’s more relief than happiness.

“Looking back at it I’m absolutely over the moon. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“I knew we were in third place going into the last round. It wasn’t nice knowing you’re in an Olympic medal position just going into your last dive. “It was also a hard job following the Chinese [who won the event] and coming in that start number eight position which is always difficult to finish on because there’s all that pressure on, everyone is watching you.”

He added: “It [being on the podium] didn’t really sink in on the podium.

“I had to remind myself ‘hold on I’m an Olympic medalist’.

“I saw other people winning their medals and I was like ‘that’s crazy, that’s such a big achievement’ but you forget that you’ve also done the same. Standing on that podium it was a lifelong dream come true.”

No-one could have blamed the 19-year-old for letting off some steam the night of his greatest triumph but Goodfellow chose a more relaxed celebration instead.

He continued: “That night I came back and played some Playstation 4 with the boys.

“They were all still competing so I had to respect their preparation. I couldn’t really come back at all hours when they’ve got to compete the next day.

“We waited until all the boys were finished, except Tom who was finished on the last day, and then we had a couple of good nights.”

Having set a target of 48 medals prior to the summer spectacular, Team GB instead broke their all-time count, delivering 67 to beat their London 2012 mark by two.

Naturally praise has been heaped on the contingent.

Goodfellow said: “I did not expect this reaction at all. I expected about 20 people, a small little meet and greet but the amount of people that have come through that door has been quite promising and it shows the Olympics has inspired quite a few young people.”

He added: “The atmosphere in the Olympic Village was amazing and it felt like we [Team GB] all knew we were going to go past that medal target.

“The vibe we had in our apartment block, everyone was feeling good and everyday we were all coming back with more medals so we looked strong and definitely looked like a good unit out there.”

Goodfellow is now taking a well-earned rest before he prepares to get back on the high board.

He said: “I’m going to have some time off – I’ve already had a couple of weeks off – and get ready for next year.

“We’ve got the World Championships which will be the big one and then we’ll be getting ready for the next four-year cycle leading up to Tokyo with Tom [Daley].

If he wants to carry on I’m happy to carry on because we’re a great partnership and hopefully that continues.”