Tom Daley has encountered a familiar challenge throughout his life: the male population of China is substantial, and their best divers slip into the water with the stealth of pebbles.
He triumphed over them once in Tokyo three years ago, fulfilling a lifelong aspiration, but this time he settled for silver, finishing behind the impressive Chinese acrobatics team. Given the circumstances, it was still a remarkable achievement.
Not the ultimate victory, but a satisfying one. While Daley celebrated his accomplishment, he seemed to find even greater joy in acknowledging that synchronizing dives from a 10-meter platform isn’t everything.
This perspective might distinguish champions from runners-up. In China, levity and enjoyment are often sidelined during rigorous training. For them, participation alone does not signify success.
In contrast, Daley adopts a more affectionate and inclusive viewpoint. “Even before the competition began, it felt like we had already won,” he remarked, now standing on solid ground beside his diving partner, Noah Williams, who is six years younger at 24. “Being here with my family and kids is incredibly special.”
Tom Daley, left, and Noah Williams won silver medals in the synchronised 10m platform event
The pairing settled for second place on the podium behind China’s Junjie Lian and Hao Yang
Daley was cheered on in the crowd by his husband Dustin Lance Black and their two children, Robbie, 6, and Phoenix, one
To emphasize this sentiment, his Hollywood screenwriter spouse, Dustin Lance Black, celebrated poolside alongside their young children, Robbie, 6, and Phoenix, one, as they finished 27 points behind Junjie Lian and Hao Yang, while being 41 points ahead of the Canadian pair. An Oscar winner, Black balanced parenting duties leading up to the Paris Games. In a notable moment in British Olympic history, Daley expressed gratitude towards his partner for his unwavering support, stating, “It’s amazing to have someone in your corner.”
Daley’s mother, Debbie, was also present in Saint-Denis, having supported him since his childhood performances in local leisure centers across places like Leeds and Sheffield. Now residing in Los Angeles, he has transformed from a young boy growing up in a modest three-bedroom home in Plymouth to a sports icon influential to his generation.
To all the novices and enthusiasts: “Who do you think you are, Tom Daley?”
Gold was not realistically on the cards for Monday. The Chinese divers executed flawless routines without any errors, achieving a couple of perfect 10s and numerous scores of 9.5s and 9s. Silver seemed achievable for Daley and Williams right from their confident opening dives, as they consistently held second place after each of the six dives (even tying with Canada on two occasions).
It’s interesting to ponder how things might have unfolded if Daley had a longer and more intense preparation period for Paris. After his Tokyo success, he took two years off and might not have returned to diving had it not been for a visit to the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado last June.
That museum visit concluded with a video showcasing the essence of being an Olympian, which moved him to tears and motivated him to return to diving. The opportunity to do so arrived when Williams and Lee missed out on a world championship medal last year, which was essential for their continued partnership.
Daley, adapting his reduced training schedule to his parenting responsibilities, managed three-hour training sessions from Monday to Friday. While he trained in LA, Williams continued his preparations in Britain. They improved their individual diving skills and only aligned their routines when they arrived at competitions. By the day of the event, their teamwork was so instinctive that they scarcely communicated throughout the hour-long dive. The only words exchanged were Daley’s rhythmic count: “One, two, three – go,” as they prepared to take the plunge.
This routine included Daley’s customary pre-dive practices: wiping himself down with a towel – now sporting a rainbow design – and adjusting his hair. He repeated this gesture on the podium, awaiting the medal that completed his Olympic collection: one gold, two silvers, and three bronzes.
Daley had come out of retirement to compete in Paris and secured a fifth Olympic medal
Daley and Williams trained in different countries but were in sync when it came to competition
Daley is still yet to decide as to whether he will extend his career to Los Angeles 2028
Robbie, the older son, joyfully tossed a juice cup toward his dad as Daley transitioned to the interview area. Named after Tom’s late father, young Robbie eagerly encouraged Daley to return to diving, even offering him advice on his performance. The enthusiastic child has already ventured off the three-meter board himself.
Daley’s legacy will endure regardless of his lack of a gold medal here. A successful millionaire, he is in no financial need, and his star status remains intact after a splendid display during the opening ceremony where he carried the British flag. For him, it’s about having fun, even though a fierce competitive edge runs through him.
Both of these aspects suggest he might extend his career to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles, coincidentally a fitting venue.
However, he made no commitments, stating, “Oh, gosh, I don’t know. I was the youngest on the team in 2008, and now I’m the oldest. I want to enjoy this experience. New events may emerge in 2028, providing an opportunity for a second home Olympics.”
One of these new events will be a mixed synchronized diving competition. See you in LA, Tom. Just be cautious of the combined forces of 1.4 billion Chinese.
