Diver Tom Daley makes tearful announcement about Olympic future

London, UK - Tom Daley has announced his retirement from diving following the Olympic Games in Paris.

Tom Daley has announced his retirement from diving following the Olympic Games in Paris.
Tom Daley has announced his retirement from diving following the Olympic Games in Paris.  © Richard Pelham / POOL / AFP

The 30-year-old athlete, who won gold at Tokyo in 2021, has called time on his career after securing his fifth Olympic medal in Paris this summer.

He revealed to British Vogue it was "the right time to call it a day" before he returned to the UK on Monday.

And Daley told the PA news agency at St Pancras:
"I'm incredibly proud for doing another cycle at an Olympic Games, and for me, it felt like a massive bonus because I took two years out of the sport after Tokyo, and I didn't know if I would get back into the team or qualify for a spot with Team GB.

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"To come away with a medal in front of my family, it meant a lot to me."

Daley competed at five Games, making his bow at Beijing 2008 and winning one gold, a silver and three bronzes during his Olympic career.

His gold came in the 10-meter synchronized event alongside Matty Lee in Tokyo, and he was back to defend his title this summer after being convinced by his son Robbie to return to the sport.

Daley and 24-year-old partner Noah Williams claimed silver in the competition a fortnight ago, one of a record five medals won by British divers in Paris.

Fan-favorite Olympian Tom Daley confirms retirement after Paris Games

Tom Daley (l.) and partner Noah Williams claimed silver at the Paris Olympic Games.
Tom Daley (l.) and partner Noah Williams claimed silver at the Paris Olympic Games.  © SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

"I'm doing synchronized diving with someone who's been alive as long as I've done diving which shows how long I've been in the sport and the strength in depth of British diving," Daley added.

"And that comes from the funding from London 2012, and we're seeing that pay dividends, so it's super exciting to see the future.

"I'm passionate for the love I have for diving, and I'm grateful that I can do something that I love and for anyone, whether that's diving, knitting, running, swimming, whatever it may be if you can find something you love then stick at it."

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Daley was again spotted enjoying the Games from the stands while knitting.

And, in retirement, the Plymouth-born athlete plans to dedicate time to his family as well as his knitting business.

Daley, who was watched by husband – US screenwriter Dustin Lance Black – and their two young sons in Paris, added: "[I'll spend] more time with my kids, knitting, expand my Made With Love business to get more people into knitting, so watch this space."

Following a star-studded closing ceremony on Sunday, the Olympic Games have now set sights on sunny Los Angeles for the 2028 competitions.

Cover photo: Richard Pelham / POOL / AFP

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