Tom Daley announces retirement after Olympics

On August 12th, 2024 at 1:49 PM

British diver Tom Daley has decided to retire from the sport after the end of the Paris Olympics, stating that it is the appropriate moment to move on.

Daley, who is 30 years old, earned five medals throughout his five times participating in the Games. His standout achievement was winning gold with Jack Laugher in Tokyo in 2021. His success continued with a silver medal in the men's 10-meter synchronized diving event in Paris.

In an interview with lifestyle magazine Vogue, Daley shared that he was aware before the Games started that it would be his final Olympics.

"I was really anxious before the competition, especially since this was my final Olympic Games," he shared. "The stakes were high and there were a lot of people expecting a lot from me."

"I couldn't wait for it to be finished ... but as I exited and saw my husband (Lance), kids (Robbie and Phoenix), and loved ones in the crowd, I thought: 'This is the reason I worked so hard for. I am present now, and despite the outcomes of the competition, I will feel content.'

I felt sentimental as I stood on the diving platform, realizing that this would be my final dive in a competition.

"But I need to make a choice soon, and it seems like the perfect moment. It's the perfect moment to end things."

Following their silver medal win in Paris, Daley and Noah Williams discussed the possibility of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I now reside in Los Angeles, so this could potentially be an opportunity to host another Olympic Games in my second home," he expressed. "However, at the moment, I just want to savor this moment and will assess the situation later on."

Daley became a standout athlete for Team Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when he was just 14 years old. He continued to win medals at the London Olympics in 2012, where he was one of the prominent faces of the Games.

His fame increased even further after he publicly announced he was gay in 2013. As a result, he was chosen to carry the flag for Team GB at the opening ceremony in Paris.

Daley decided to step away from the sport for two years following the Tokyo Olympics. He made his comeback in July 2023 when his son expressed his desire to watch him compete in diving at the Olympics.

"I am thrilled with how everything has turned out," Daley said emotionally to the BBC as Team GB arrived back in the UK.

Saying farewell to your sport is never easy. There are many emotions to deal with, but I believe it is the right decision. This year has been particularly special as I was able to compete in front of my loved ones, including my children. I even had the opportunity to be the flag-bearer at an event. It feels like I have accomplished everything I wanted to in my sport.

Overall, he has earned three bronze medals, one silver from Paris, and the crucial gold medal. Additionally, he has achieved four gold medals at world championships from 2009 to 2024.

Details from Reuters were included in the report.