Britain’s most decorated diver, Tom Daley, has confirmed that the 2024 Paris Olympics were his last. On Monday, August 12, the 30-year-old Daley told BBC reporters that he would be retiring from competitive diving while leaving Paris.
“It’s hard to talk about, it’s emotional,” Tom told the cameras through tears. The BBC reporter then told the diver, “The whole of the U.K. are so proud of you, and it’s so amazing to have you back with your silver medal. And you must just feel so proud of yourself.”
Tom Daley returned home to the United Kingdom (UK) on Monday after completing the Paris Olympics. He and team partner Noah Williams took home a silver medal in the synchronized 10m platform event. The athlete was also Great Britain’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony.
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In an interview with Vogue, Tom Daley revealed that he had already decided to retire before the Paris Olympics began.
“I felt so incredibly nervous going into this, knowing it was my last Olympics,” he said. “It was emotional at the end, up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive. But I have to make the decision at some point.”
On his arrival at London’s St. Pancras station, Daley told BBC, “This year felt like such a bonus. I competed in front of my family and kids, carried the flag, and checked off a lot of bucket list items.
Tom Daley started his diving career by competing for Plymouth Diving Club at seven. By 14, he debuted at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He then won a bronze medal in the men’s 10m platform at the London Olympics 2012.
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Daley peaked his career when he and Matty Lee won a gold medal in the synchronized 10m event at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
When asked what he most looks forward to now that he’s home, Tom Daley answered that he is back with his family. He has two sons, Robert Ray and Phoenix Rose, whom he shares with his husband, Dustin Lance Black.
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