Five-time Olympic medalist Tom Daley officially announced his retirement from the diving platform on Monday, August 12, 2024. The 30-year-old British Olympian cemented himself as a legend of the sport. Debuting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the age of fourteen. Daley went on to make five Olympic appearances, winning five medals in that span: three bronzes, a silver, and a gold.
Daley initially stepped away from the pool after his Olympic victory at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. However, he returned to the sport last year at the request of his older son, Robbie. Robbie persuaded Daley to come out of retirement. His appearance in Paris made him the first British diver to compete at five Olympic Games.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Daley won the 10m platform silver alongside partner Noah Williams to complete his Olympic medal set. However, even though Daley could compete in front of his family and friends, he expressed that standing on the platform for the last time was quite emotional.
“It was emotional at the end, up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive,” said Daley in an article with Vogue. “But I have to make the decision at some point, and it feels like the right time. It’s the right time to call it a day”.
As we say goodbye to the British diving sweetheart, many fans are eager to know what is in store next for this diving legend. In an interview with the BBC, Daley said, “I want to be with my family. I’m excited to be able to spend some time with them and just be able to feel a bit normal for a couple of days”. Olympic diving won’t be the same without Daley and his iconic knitting skills, but we will never forget the “boy wonder” for years to come.
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