LONDON — Five-time Olympic medalist Tom Daley announced his retirement from diving on Monday.
Daley told British Vogue magazine he had decided to call time on his career.
The 30-year-old British diver competed at five Games, making his debut at Beijing 2008 and winning gold and bronze in Tokyo, silver in Paris and bronzes at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Daley, who claimed his fifth Olympic medal in the 10m synchronised event in Paris last month, said in the interview: “It feels very, very surreal. I felt so incredibly nervous going into this, knowing it was my last Olympics.”
“There was a lot of pressure and expectations. I was eager for it to be done. But when I walked out and saw my husband (Lance) and kids (Robbie and Phoenix) and my friends and family in the audience, I was like, you know what? This is exactly why I did this.
“It was emotional at the end, up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive.
“But I have to make the decision at some point, and it feels like the right time. It’s the right time to call it a day.”
Daley’s gold came in the 10m synchronised event in Tokyo in 2021 alongside Matty Lee. He was back to defend his title in Paris after being convinced by his son Robbie to return to the sport.
Daley won silver in the French capital alongside Noah Williams. China took gold.
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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Tom Daley, a British diver who has won five Olympic medals throughout his career, has recently announced his retirement from the sport. The 27-year-old athlete made the announcement on social media, expressing his gratitude for the support he has received throughout his diving career.
Daley first burst onto the international diving scene at the age of 14 when he competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He quickly became known for his impressive skills and fearless dives, earning him a bronze medal in the 10m platform event. Over the years, Daley continued to excel in the sport, winning numerous medals at World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and European Championships.
In 2012, Daley achieved one of his biggest accomplishments when he won a bronze medal at the London Olympics. He followed this up with a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Most recently, Daley won two gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, solidifying his status as one of the greatest divers of his generation.
In his retirement announcement, Daley expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he has had to compete at the highest level and thanked his coaches, teammates, and fans for their support. He also hinted at his plans for the future, saying that he is excited to explore new opportunities and challenges outside of diving.
Daley’s retirement marks the end of an era in British diving, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on. His dedication, talent, and passion for the sport have inspired countless young athletes to pursue their own diving dreams. As he moves on to the next chapter of his life, fans around the world will continue to celebrate his remarkable career and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
