British Diver Tom Daley Announces Retirement After Paris Olympics
Tom Daley, a five-time Olympian and five-time Olympic medalist, has announced his retirement from competitive diving, effective immediately. The 30-year-old British diver made the decision public on Monday, citing that it’s “the right time to call it a day.”
Daley’s illustrious career spanned over 14 years, with his first Olympic appearance in 2008 at the age of 14. He earned his first Olympic medal in 2012, taking bronze in the 10-meter platform in front of a home crowd in London. He went on to win another bronze in the 10-meter synchronized dive with partner Daniel Goodfellow.
In Tokyo in 2021, Daley had his best Olympics yet, taking bronze in the individual event and earning his first gold with partner Matty Lee in the pairs event. Near the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Daley earned his fifth Olympic medal, a silver, with partner Noah Williams in the men’s 10-meter synchronized dive.
Daley has also been an important figure in the LGBTQ+ community, especially in England. He married his husband, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, in 2015, and the couple has two children. Daley has spoken publicly about the support he received from his family, including his older son, Robert, who convinced him to compete again in Paris after the Tokyo Olympics.
In addition to his diving career, Daley is known for his hobby of knitting and crocheting while in the stands at the Olympics. In Paris, he even knitted a personalized, Paris Olympics-themed sweater.
After arriving back in England on Monday, Daley spoke with the BBC, speaking emotionally about the end of his career. “It’s always hard when you say goodbye to your sport,” he said. “But, you know, I think it’s the right time. This year felt like such a bonus, and I got to compete in front of my family, my kids, and I got to be a flag bearer, so, bucket list ticked off on every occasion.”
