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Tom Daley

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Tom Daley
NameTom Daley
CaptionDaley in 2021
Birth nameThomas Robert Daley
Birth date21 May 1994
Birth placePlymouth, England
Height1.77 m
Weight74 kg
SportDiving
ClubPlymouth Diving Club
CoachJane Figueiredo

Tom Daley is a British diver renowned for his success in international competition and his prominent advocacy work. A specialist in the 10 metre platform event, he has won multiple medals at the Olympic Games, World Aquatics Championships, and Commonwealth Games. His career, marked by longevity and resilience, has established him as one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of British diving.

Early life and education

Born in Plymouth to parents Debbie and Robert Daley, he showed an early aptitude for the sport, beginning his training at the Plymouth Diving Club. He was educated at Eggbuckland Community College and later at Plymouth College, which had a specialized program for elite athletes. His prodigious talent was evident early, leading to his first major international appearance at the 2008 European Aquatics Championships while still a teenager. His father was a significant figure in his early career, providing steadfast support before his passing in 2011.

Diving career

Daley's senior international breakthrough came at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he was the youngest member of the British team. He claimed his first world title at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships in Rome, winning the 10 metre platform event. His Olympic medal success began at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he earned a bronze medal, a feat he repeated at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. His career pinnacle was winning the gold medal in the 10 metre synchronized platform with partner Matty Lee at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, held in 2021. He has also amassed numerous medals at the Commonwealth Games, representing England, and at the European Aquatics Championships.

Personal life

He married American filmmaker and writer Dustin Lance Black in 2017 at Bovey Castle in Devon. The couple has a son, born via surrogacy in 2018. He has been open about the profound influence of his father's death from brain cancer on his life and perspective. In 2013, he publicly came out as gay in a video posted on YouTube, discussing his relationship with Black. The family divides their time between London and Los Angeles.

Activism and philanthropy

A prominent LGBT rights advocate, he has worked closely with organizations like Stonewall and the It Gets Better Project. He produced the documentary Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me for the BBC, investigating the plight of LGBTQ+ athletes in countries with oppressive laws. He is also an ambassador for the British Red Cross and has supported campaigns for Cancer Research UK, inspired by his father's illness. His advocacy extends to mental health awareness, often speaking about the pressures of elite sport.

Media and public image

Beyond his athletic achievements, he has become a significant media personality and style icon. He has served as a presenter for the BBC during events like the Queen's Baton Relay and has made numerous appearances on shows such as The Great British Bake Off. He launched a knitting brand, Made with Love by Tom Daley, which gained widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. His autobiography, Coming Up for Air, was published in 2021. He is frequently noted in the press for his fashion, having attended events like the Met Gala.

Awards and honors

His accomplishments have been recognized with several prestigious awards. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours. He has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and the British Diving Athlete of the Year title multiple times. He received the Pride of Britain Award in 2020 for his sporting and advocacy work. The International Swimming Hall of Fame inducted him in 2023, cementing his legacy in aquatic sports.

Category:1994 births Category:British male divers Category:Living people Category:Olympic gold medalists for Great Britain Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire