Daley Reflects on Olympic Journey Ahead of 2028 Games
- Tom Daley, the British diver, is preparing for his fifth Olympic Games, drawing new motivation from his family.
- This shift in focus highlights the importance of personal support systems in competitive sports.
- Daley aims to honor his family's backing as a key element of his Olympic pursuit.
Tom Daley, the celebrated British diver, expressed that the true gold medal for him in the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be having his children present to witness his performance. Having first competed at the age of 14 in the 2008 Beijing Games, Daley, now 34, is proud of his journey back to the Olympic stage after taking a two-year hiatus. He acknowledges the hard work and dedication it took to return, stating that just over a year ago, he doubted he could make it back for his fifth Olympic appearance. Daley's return to diving was sparked by a visit to the Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs with his husband, Dustin Lance Black, and their son, Robbie. A poignant moment occurred when Robbie expressed his desire to see his father compete in the Olympics, reigniting Daley's passion for the sport. As he trains at the London Aquatics Centre, Daley remains open to the possibility of competing in a sixth Olympics, especially with rumors of a new mixed team event being introduced in 2028. His coach, Jane Figueiredo, regards Daley as one of the greatest divers in history and does not dismiss the idea of him continuing beyond the Paris Games. Daley also plans to incorporate knitting as a relaxation technique during competitions, as he did in Tokyo. He views the upcoming Olympics as a unique opportunity to celebrate his achievements and soak in the atmosphere, emphasizing that this experience is a culmination of a lifetime of hard work.