Five-time Olympic medallist Tom Daley has officially announced his retirement from the sport of diving.
At the age of 30, Daley secured a silver medal in the men’s synchronised 10m platform event alongside Noah Williams in Paris, completing his collection of medals with one of each colour.
Having made his debut in the 2008 Games at just 14 years old, Daley achieved bronze medals in both the London 2012 and Tokyo 2021 Olympics in the 10m platform discipline. He also earned a bronze medal in the men’s synchronised 10m platform event in Rio 2016.
Daley’s crowning achievement came in Tokyo, where he clinched the gold medal in the synchronised 10m platform event with his partner Matty Lee. Following those Games, he initially retired but decided to make a comeback for the Paris Olympics to have the opportunity to compete in front of his two children.
Expressing his emotions, Daley shared, “I’m extremely content with how everything has unfolded. Bid farewell to your sport is always a challenging task. There are many thoughts to process, but I believe this is the right time. This year felt like an incredible bonus, allowing me to compete in front of my family and children. Being the flagbearer was also a memorable experience. So yes, I can proudly say that I have checked off every item on my bucket list.”
After successfully achieving his lifelong goal of winning a gold medal in Tokyo in 2021, Daley took a break from diving for two years.
However, he was convinced to make a comeback to the sport when his six-year-old son, Robbie, expressed his desire to see his father compete at the Olympic Games.
Daley’s husband, Dustin Lance Black, along with Robbie and their youngest son, Phoenix, were present to witness his silver medal victory alongside his partner, Williams.
Daley had already made the decision before the Games that his participation in Paris would mark the end of his competitive diving career.
“It was an emotional moment standing on the platform, knowing that it would be my final dive in a competitive setting,” Daley shared with Vogue.
“But I had to make this decision at some point, and it feels like the right time. It’s the right moment to retire.”
Having participated in five Olympic Games, Daley leaves behind a remarkable legacy as Team GB’s most decorated diver in Olympic history.
