Tom Daley, the British Olympic diver known for his impressive achievements and viral knitting moments at the Paris Games, has announced his retirement from competitive diving. In an interview with Vogue, Daley shared the emotional experience of his final dive, stating, “It was emotional at the end, up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive… It feels like the right time to call it a day.”
At 30 years old, Daley began his Olympic journey at just 14 during the 2008 Beijing Games. Over the course of his career, he has amassed three bronze medals, one gold medal, and a silver in the men’s 10-meter synchronized platform event at the recent Paris Games.
After taking a two-year break following the Tokyo Games, Daley faced numerous challenges throughout his career, including injuries and a phenomenon known as the “twisties,” which affects divers’ spatial awareness. During the Paris Games, he also served as a commentator.
Daley is looking to the future, with plans to launch his own line of underwear and swimwear, and has enrolled in a sewing class at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles to further develop his skills in knitting and crocheting. He concluded his announcement on Instagram with a simple farewell: “Thank you, diving over and out.”