Tom Daley Retires After 5th Olympic Medal

After collecting his fifth Olympic medal in Paris, Tom Daley, 30, has announced his retirement from diving. He had previously won gold medals in Tokyo and three bronze medals. Tom Daley and Noah Williams won a silver in the synchronized 10-meter platform. However, 16 years after making his Olympic debut in Beijing as a 14-year-old diver, Britain’s most successful diver, Daley, has officially announced that he is hanging up his diving gear. 

The main reason behind his resignation is still uncertain. But Tom Daley has stated that he may not participate in his sixth Games in 2028 in Los Angeles, where he currently resides. The father of two stayed on to commentate for Eurosport following his diving event and now wants to focus on more television work. 

Daley’s Emotional Farewell

Knowing that this would be Tom Daley’s final competition dive made the ending emotional, the diver told Vogue, ”Thank you! I want to thank everyone who has supported me during this whole ordeal and especially Great Britain for their amazing support. I am incredibly pleased with the 23 years I have lived; it’s the conclusion of an era,”

“Being the most decorated diver in Britain right now makes me feel tremendously proud. I can honestly say that I’m happy with what I accomplished when I look back,” the 30-year-old continued. In addition, he intends to pursue a career in fashion and is taking a sewing course at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.

In an interview, an emotional Daley remarked, “[It’s] Hard to talk about.” I am quite pleased with myself, yet it’s difficult to discuss. I’ll have to hang it up sometime, but I’m proud of it. I want to be with my family,” Tom Daley said. The 30-year-old, who first represented Great Britain at the juvenile age of 14 in Beijing, has been a cornerstone of the British diving team for nearly two decades.

Daley’s Memorable Fifth Olympic Triumph

After the Plymouth-born diver’s bronze medal at London 2012, the nation fell in love with him. His versatility and will were further demonstrated by his bronze medals in Rio and Tokyo-the latter where he shared the podium with Matty Lee. Tom Daley’s greatest moment came when he finally won Olympic gold in Tokyo.

Once his BBC documentary Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me aired in 2022, Daley was hailed as a “national treasure” for his advocacy of more LGBTQ+ acceptance at the Commonwealth Games. As he retires from competitive diving, he leaves behind a legacy of athletic brilliance, bravery, and inspiration.

Daley stated during the Paris Games that he changed his mind about retiring because of his six-year-old son Robbie. Robbie was primarily thrilled to get his hands on a piece of the Eiffel Tower, which is a feature of every medal at the Paris Games. “He’s excited to touch a bit of the Eiffel Tower,” the diving star said. “It completes the set; I now have one of every color.” Robbie moved to the US with his family after winning the Tokyo Olympics and effectively retired from diving.