Daley memorably won gold in the men's 10m platform synchronized dive at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Games. Photo: PA/Adam Davy
Olympic champion Tom Daly said he would come out of virtual retirement and return to the pool to aim for a place in Paris in 2024.
Daley, 29, won Olympic gold together with Matty Lee in the men's 10-meter synchronized dive at the Tokyo Games, his fourth Olympic Games since his debut as a teenager in Beijing in 2008.
The three-time world champion has since taken a two-year hiatus, stating that he was “in theory retired”, but in a new YouTube video he said that a recent trip to Colorado Springs in the United States revived his competitive spirit a year before Paris.
Daly and his husband Dustin Lance Black traveled to Colorado for the birth of their second son, and Daly said he didn't realize his Olympic city status until they arrived. He then took eldest son Robbie to the museum and felt inspired to try and return.
“Robbie told me, 'Dad, I want to see you jump at the Olympics,'” Daly said. “A new flame was lit in me when I saw where it would lead, I don’t know where it would lead.
“I don’t know if it would be a completely stupid idea to get back in the pool or an opportunity for me to do it for fun and have some fun without any pressure, or if my body would be able to get back on the diving board and dive almost decently.
“I don’t know what it will look like. Paris 2024 is definitely a goal. I don't know if it's possible, but never say never.”
Daley made his Olympic debut at the age of 14 in Beijing 2008 and won bronze medals in London 2012 and Rio 2016. His signature moment came in 2021 when he took gold in the 10m synchro with Lee, as well as bronze in the individual event. at the postponed Tokyo Games.
Daly (center) has competed in every Olympic Games since Beijing 2008. Photo: Julian Andrews/Julian Andrews
“We had a great time at the Olympic and Paralympic Museum playing different games and at the end we went to the room to watch videos about what it means to be an athlete and see these inspiring journeys,” added Daly.
“I just cried; I could not control myself, I was not sad to dive. I didn’t do it anymore, theoretically I retired and I can’t imagine going back to it again.
“Coming out of this museum, something changed in me, and it ignited a new flame and fire inside me to see where it leads.”
Daly may have to find a new diving partner and Lee will join forces with Noah Williams to win silver at last year's World Championships, although they could only this time finished fourth in Japan. The British Diving Team won an impressive three medals at the recent 2023 World Championships, but it was noticeable that none came from any of Daly's favorite competitions.
Daly is expected to set his sights on world championship. a year-end qualifying event to qualify for the next Doha event in February before turning their attention to Paris 2024 in July.
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