Paris 2024 Olympics: Tom Daley: "My Olympic gold medal this time is having my kids there to watch"

Image by Meg Oliphant from Getty Images

Tom Daley, a famous British diver, traveled to London from Los Angeles for the pre-Olympic Games Paris 2024 training camp. This trip was unlike his previous experiences at the Olympic Games.

British people have watched Daley grow up, starting at age 14 when he competed on the 10m platform at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, which was especially meaningful as his father had passed away from brain cancer just a year earlier.

He earned a bronze medal with Dan Goodfellow at the Rio 2016 Olympics and achieved his long-awaited gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, paired with Matty Lee in synchronized diving. He also won a bronze medal in the individual event in Japan, bringing his total Olympic medal count to four at the age of 30.

This time, when traveling to the Olympic Games, Daley is just like any other parent traveling with their children, despite being an Olympic icon.

"I was nervous about how it would turn out," Daley said with a grin to the several reporters he was talking to on July 17, just 12 days before participating in his fifth Olympic Games. "Fortunately, it was a nighttime flight, so Robbie, who is used to traveling, was fine because he's six now, so he's more mature. Phoenix, on the other hand, is definitely the youngest child - restless, wanting to climb and jump on everything. He was quiet, but I had to keep him under control the whole time."

Daley, who will complete his events at the Olympics on 29 July when he competes in the men's synchronised 10m platform with Noah Williams instead of Lee due to injury, is feeling positive.

This year, Williams had great achievements including winning a silver medal at the World Championships in Doha and securing gold, silver, and bronze medals at three World Cup series events.

On social media, there are photos of Daley working out at an outdoor pool in Los Angeles, which is close to his home with his husband Dustin Lance Black and their kids. He often travels back to London, where he loves to train at the Aquatics Centre from the 2012 Olympic Games, where Team GB practices.

With a lot of information written about the individual, we wanted Daley to share his own thoughts. We conducted a Q&A based on the interview mentioned, making some minor edits for conciseness and understanding.

Excited For The Fifth Olympic Games!

What are your thoughts on the Paris 2024 Olympics and the return of friends and family to the stands after being absent at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021?

I'm thrilled! I returned to diving mainly so that my kids could watch me, and now they all can. My husband, children, mother, grandmother, friends, aunts, uncles... We were able to secure plenty of tickets this time because I was more organized with them.

I urged all my friends and family to go online at the precise moment when I knew tickets would become available. I told them, "Just grab whatever you can and we'll sort it out later. Let's get as many tickets as possible because this will be as close to a hometown Olympics as I'll ever experience again in my lifetime."

When you're in a competition, do you keep an eye on your opponents?

When I was younger, my dad always had a big Union Jack flag to help me find him in a crowd. Nowadays, we don't have that same visual marker. Instead, I have my family and friends send me photos of the pool from their lounging spot so I can easily spot them. It gives me peace of mind to know exactly where they are and wave to them before focusing solely on our time together.

Have you ever thought about getting back into a sport after visiting an Olympic Museum with your family? Can you share that experience with us?

While in Colorado Springs, we visited the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum because that's where Phoenix was born. I was surprised to learn that it is known as the Olympic City. As we entered the museum, I used a pen to sign in and the staff noticed my Olympic rings tattoo. They excitedly exclaimed, 'You're an Olympian!'

In the spacious atrium with many balconies, all the employees gathered and I found myself surrounded. I felt embarrassed and Robbie asked, 'What's happening?' I responded, 'It's a complicated story'.

However, when the video depicted the essence of being an Olympian, I couldn't help but get emotional. Robbie noticed and asked me why I was upset. I expressed my longing for diving and missing the Olympics. Lance understood the significance of my feelings and Robbie expressed his desire to see me compete in the Olympics again. And just like that, the decision was made.

I thought to myself, "I'm not sure how this is going to work out." I've been away from the sport for two years. If I decide to return, it's not certain that I'll make it back onto the team, be able to perform my dives again, avoid injuries, or even qualify for the Olympics. There are many challenges to face.

Ease The Pressure

And you're not feeling as much stress now because when you were in Tokyo, you were really focused on winning the gold medal, right?

To me, the most important part of the upcoming competition is having my children watch me win the Olympic gold medal. I have taken a break for two years to focus on this goal and I am proud of the hard work I have put in. It doesn't matter if I don't win gold, what matters is that I am setting an example for my kids that with determination and hard work, dreams can be achieved.

I definitely want to win another medal. It would be great. I believe anyone who says they don't want to win a medal would not be telling the truth because that's the main goal of participating in the Olympics. However, we need to focus on each step and give our best effort.

The time spent in Tokyo was unique for all of us. Are you looking forward to the excitement of experiencing the Olympics with your family?

Yes, during my time in Beijing, London, and Rio, I put myself through a lot of emotional stress because I was so determined to succeed. But in Tokyo, I reached a breakthrough moment where I was able to see things from a different perspective. I realized that no matter how I performed, whether it was good or bad, I could always count on going back home to a loving and supportive family.

And now, in this instance, I have achieved the highest honor. I have accomplished all that I set out to do in my sport and surpassed my own expectations. This year feels like a gift to me, where I can truly savor the experience, appreciate the surroundings, and think to myself, 'This is the culmination of all my years of hard work'.

Are you also involved in media projects? Are you excited about it and how do you plan to balance that with your upcoming competition?

After I compete, I can finally experience the Olympics in a new way. That's my ultimate goal, to be a part of it.

I have a passion for the Olympics... I believe there is a distinct magic in the collective effort of numerous athletes striving for a shared objective. The narratives, the legacy, and the authenticity of competing for the coveted Olympic gold medal really captivate me.

I believe there is something truly unique about the Olympics. With more than 200 countries and 10,000 athletes joining forces, it's amazing to see everyone set aside their differences and come together in unity. This sense of camaraderie is truly remarkable.

Having Fun With Team GB

How do you handle your social media presence while the Games are happening?

When it comes to social media, I have a simple rule: if I come across posts that don't uplift, amuse, encourage, or educate me about my loved ones, and if I start to feel even slightly unhappy, I hit the unfollow button. I believe in curating my social media feed to create a positive space for myself and to connect with those who are genuinely interested in following my journey.

When the competition starts, I make sure to have a separate phone number that I only share with my husband, mom, and coach. This way, only they can reach me during games-time.

Do you share any advice or guidance with the younger members of the GB diving team, given your vast experience?

I find it amusing because you might assume otherwise, but I actually feel like the most playful member of the team. I enjoy silly humor and I like to pull pranks on others. When it comes to diving, I have plenty of experience and know how to handle various situations that can arise. But in my everyday life, I still feel as young as I did when I was 14.

The diving event at the Paris 2024 Olympics will happen from July 27 to August 10.