Molly Carlson has always dreamed of the Olympic Games, and while her path took an unexpected turn, she has found a unique way to be part of this year’s Olympic Games.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Molly is set to fulfill her Olympic dream not as a diver or high diver, but as a content creator, bringing a fresh and inspiring perspective to the world’s biggest sporting event.
Diving Career
Molly Carlson’s journey began in the world of diving at the age of nine. With a love for the sport, she dedicated countless hours to training and competing, quickly making a name for herself in national and international competitions. In 2014, the 25-year-old represented Canada at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing 2014, fuelling her ambition to represent Canada at the Rio 2016 Olympics two years later.
“Youth Olympics was a fantastic experience that gave me a glimpse into the atmosphere of an Olympic event and further drove my desire to make the 2016 Olympic team,” said Carlson.
For the Ontario-Canada native, the journey from the 2014 Youth Olympics to the Rio 2016 Olympic cycle was filled with intense training and personal growth, therefore, not qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics was undoubtedly a challenging and disappointing moment for the Youth Olympian.
“As the 2016 Olympic trials approached, I aimed to secure my place in Rio but finished fourth, missing the top two spots. This disappointment revealed my silent struggle with mental health. Although it was difficult, it turned out to be a hidden blessing, leading me to seek help for my eating disorder and prioritize my well-being. After the Rio 2016 Olympic trials, I stepped away from competing for Canada and accepted a scholarship at Florida State University (FSU). This move was crucial for my growth, allowing me to heal and rediscover my love for diving. At FSU, I rekindled my passion and no longer felt the need to prove my worth through Olympic qualification in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic trials.¨
Transitioning to High Diving and Content Creation
In 2020, Carlson transitioned to high diving while recovering from wrist injuries and reassessing her goals. This switch brought new excitement and opportunities, including a larger social media presence. While Molly strives for the high diving World champion title, she remains authentic online about her journey.
“My online approach has fostered a community of over 6 million followers on social media platforms, empowering the next generation to embrace their courage and pursue their dreams. There are always many ways to be part of something extraordinary.”
The Road to Paris 2024: A New Role as a Content Creator
“I am thrilled to be heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics as a content creator. This role feels like the culmination of my Olympic dream,” said Carlson.
“Working with NBC and a talented group of creators, I will bring a fresh perspective on the Olympics to younger audiences through platforms like TikTok. This opportunity is a dream come true, allowing me to highlight the incredible athletes competing and share their stories with the world.”
“My goal in the Paris 2024 Olympics is to capture and highlight incredible athletic moments and emotions behind the scenes, I aim to show that athletes are people, experiencing a range of emotions in their pursuit of excellence. While I won't be focusing solely on aquatics, I will certainly be attending aquatics events and sharing these moments on my platforms.”