Tom Daley proclaims his retirement from diving in emotional assertion

Tom Daley has confirmed his retirement from diving in an emotional statement.

Daley, who won silver in the men’s synchronised 10m platform with partner Noah Williams at this 2024 Olympic Games, has admitted that it’s the ‘right time to call it a day’. 

Across his illustrious career, the 30-year-old has won five medals at five Olympic games and became Britain’s youngest ever Olympian at just 14.

Daley was the first Team GB diver to win four Olympic medals, adding a fifth in Paris with a first silver.

Speaking to Vogue, Daley said: ‘It was emotional at the end, up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive.

Team GB star Tom Daley has confirmed his retirement from diving in an emotional statement

Daley, left, and Noah Williams won silver medals in the synchronised 10m platform in Paris

‘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, who was overcome with emotion, also spoke with the BBC and said: ‘[It’s] Hard to talk about. I am (so proud of myself) It’s really hard to talk about. Have to hang it up at some time, but I’m very proud.

‘I wanna be with my family and I’m very excited to spend some time with them and feel normal for a couple of days. It’s just very overwhelming.I didn’t mean for it to be timed like this, but I feel very proud of my career.

‘Right now it’s obviously a lot and I’m really happy with how everything’s gone it’s just hard when you say good bye to your sport. 

‘Lots of things to process but I think it’s the right time. This year felt like such a bonus. I got to compete in front of my kids and I got to be flag-bearer, so yeah – bucket list ticked off.

‘I like to think they’re (his family) very proud of me. I am happy, it’s just hard to talk when you have loved something so much.

‘Thank you! The support I’ve had from Great Britain has been so incredible and thank you to everyone who’s been there with me throughout all this. It’s the end of an era, I can look back through my 23 years and be very proud!’

The 30-year-old, who first represented Great Britain at the tender age of 14 in Beijing, has been a cornerstone of the British diving team for nearly two decades.

A bronze medal at London 2012 ignited a nation’s love affair with the Plymouth-born diver. Subsequent bronze medals in Rio and Tokyo, the latter alongside Matty Lee, showcased Daley’s versatility and determination. His crowning moment arrived in Tokyo, where he finally claimed Olympic gold.

As Daley steps away from competitive diving, he leaves behind a legacy of athletic excellence, courage, and inspiration.

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