British diver Tom Daley, who clinched the silver medal in the men's synchronized ten-meter platform at the Paris 2024 Olympics, shared the inspiration behind his return to the Olympics and his views on the Chinese diving team.
Tom Daley, who previously won four Olympic medals -- one gold and three bronze -- had planned to retire after securing gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, three years later, he made a comeback, and he is thrilled with his performance, which exceeded his expectations.
"I'm so happy with the way that things have turned out. You know, 18 months ago, I was sitting on the sofa, not doing very much, and, you know, deciding to come back for one like another go at the Olympics is something that maybe back then, I never even thought I'd even get back into that kind of shape, get into the Synchro team, be able to qualify a spot for the Olympics. But to be able to go and give that kind of performance and feel, really, you know, happy with the way it turned out, and to come away with another medal, I'm just over the moon," Tom said.
After 18 months of preparation, Daley secured the third place in the synchronized event. He considers 2024 a bonus year, with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
"I feel like this has felt like a very much like a bonus year, like, and everything was like, you know, there was nothing to lose, but at the same time everything to gain. So I was just, like, really enjoying the process of it, and like, really knowing that I didn't have to come back for this games, I didn't have to come back into the sport. So knowing that every time I went into a competition, it was like, Well, you know, whatever happens, I could have either been not doing it or I'm doing it and I'm going to actually enjoy it. So I was really able to, like, embrace it, really take everything in, and be really present," Tom said.
Discussing the Synchro diving and his philosophy, Daley emphasized that synchronized diving requires the team's best individual dives to be performed simultaneously.
"I guess so. But I mean, realistically, with diving, you, when you're doing synchronized dive, you want to have the best individual dives that you can and do them at the same time. So we were working really hard on perfecting our individual dives, so that when we came together, it was as simple as adding 1,2,3, go and being able to get into time. And I think that's something that we've been really good at, is that you there's that, I guess there is two sides to it. You can spend every single day doing Synchro and over analyzing every single little detail, or you come together and you don't over sync it, because you have to be ready to compete in three days. So I think there is, like a real balance to be found with that. And I think there was something that was like quite special about not having any time to overthink it," Tom said.
Praising the Chinese team, Daley described their performance as absolutely flawless.
Regarding his motivation to return, Daley mentioned his son as one of the key factors driving his comeback to diving.
"It was, it was my son, Robbie. We were at the Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, and at the end, there was this inspirational video about what it means to be an Olympian. And I remember watching it and thinking, Oh, I'm like, the emotions were very raw, like, and my husband turned to me, sees me crying, and was like, Oh, no. Like, I know what this means. And then Robbie asked you, like, papa, why are you crying? And I just was like, you know, I miss the Olympics. I miss the diving. I miss going and seeing all of my friends and all of that. And he was like, well, Papa, I want to see you dive at the Olympics. And you know when your kid says that, you like, Okay, well, I'll give it a go. Like, who knows if I'll even be able to do it, but I'll try. And, you know, I've worked really hard over the last year to get back into that position. And I, you know, before the competition started yesterday, to be able to walk out and in the practice round see my kids there, you know, I felt like I'd already won, and then I was able to really enjoy the whole experience," he said.
Known for his knitting hobby, Daley also shared his latest progress in making a jumper.
"Yeah, it's going good. I've actually nearly finished the jumper that I'm making. And I've also met, like, started making, like, a what is going to be a little bit of a French upgrade of the medal pouch that I made last time. I'm hoping to get the jumper finished enough to be able to reveal either today or tomorrow. But then I'm going to, yeah, the medal case bag thing that I've made is the thing that I'm most excited about. I think I love it. I'm, like, really excited to show everyone. But, you know, I think that should be finished at some point this week or next. So, yes," Tom said.
British diving silver medalist reflects on journey back to Olympics
