Paris, 29 Jul (Xinhua) -- When Thomas · Daley stepped onto the 10-meter platform at the Paris Olympics on 29 July, 16 years had passed since his first Olympic journey. At Beijing 2008, Daley was only 14 years old, making him the youngest player in the United Kingdom team.
"Of course I remember the Beijing Olympics, when I didn't understand anything, I didn't have any concept of the Olympics. But I remember meeting Nadal and Andy · Murray for the first time in Beijing, and now I think about it and it feels incredible, and I can't imagine that we are still holding on. The 30-year-old Daley is now a veteran of the Olympic "Five Dynasties", and his opponents include Chinese platform jumpers Lin Yue, Huo Liang, Zhou Luxin, Qiu Bo, Chen Aisen, etc.
He and his partner Williams won a silver medal in the men's 10m platform pairs. This is Daley's fifth Olympic medal, and he and his partner Marty · Lee won the gold medal in this event at the Tokyo Olympics, the first of his career.
United Kingdom's Thomas · Daley competes in the men's double 10m platform diving at the Tokyo Olympics on July 26, 2021. Photo by reporter Xu Chang
Although he failed to win gold again, for Daley, being able to stand on the platform of the Paris Olympics and look at his beloved family in the stands is already equivalent to a gold medal.
"For me, this time, my Olympic gold medal was standing on the platform and seeing my lover, my kids, my mom and a lot of family and friends, it was very special to be able to dive in front of them again. I'm looking forward to seeing the faces of my kids as I get on the platform, and that's why I'm back this year – for them. ”
Daley began practicing diving at the age of 8, participated in the men's single 10-meter platform final at the Beijing Olympics at the age of 14, and won the men's 10-meter platform championship at the World Championships in Rome at the age of 15, and was known as the "golden boy of diving". He won a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics; At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he was out of whack in the singles competition, but finished third in the double 10m platform. At the Tokyo Olympics, Daley finally realized his dream, winning the gold medal in the double 10m platform and a bronze medal in the single 10m platform.
United Kingdom's Thomas · Daley (left) and Marty · Lee pose for a photo after the medal ceremony on July 26, 2021. On the same day, in the men's double 10-meter platform final of the Tokyo Olympics, United Kingdom's Thomas · Daley/Marty · Lee won the championship. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Jianli
Daley left the competition after the Tokyo Olympics and moved to the United States with his family. In 2023, he decided to make a comeback after visiting the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum.
At the end of the museum, they showed a video about what it means to be an Olympian and the effort it takes to participate in the Olympics. I remember that at the end of the video, I cried there. It was Robbie who turned around and asked, Dad, what's wrong? I said, I really miss diving at the Olympics. But Dad, I want to see you dive at the Olympics — and that's how I decided to dive. Daley recalled.
"I have to balance life and diving, so I don't have a lot of time to train and I don't compete in singles." "I train for one session a day from Monday to Friday and spend the rest of the time with my family," he said. ”
With no spectators at the Tokyo Olympics, this is Daley's first time in front of spectators since Rio 2016. On the 29th, his two sons were in the stands, wearing T-shirts with "This is my dad" printed on the back, cheering him on. Daley also sent a flying kiss to his family on the podium.
On July 29, champion China's Lian Junjie (fourth from left) / Yang Hao (third from left), runner-up United Kingdom Daley (first from left) / Williams (second from left) and third runner-up Canada Waynes (second from right) / Jungbor-Murray (first from right) at the award ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ying
"They watched me for an interview just above the mixed zone. Phoenix also threw his juice glass over and almost hit the BBC reporter. It's really nice to be able to share this moment with them! Daley said.
Speaking about his old rivals, the Chinese diving team, he said: "They don't always jump so perfectly in training, I thought I had a chance to beat them this time, but they played too well in the competition! ”
Daley also put pressure on the Chinese team. 'Daly they jumped really well and we were under a lot of pressure when we came out before us. Lian Junjie and Yang Hao, who won the gold medal in the men's double 10-meter platform that day, said.
Runner-up United Kingdom's Daley (left) and Williams hug in celebration on July 29. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ying
At that time, Xiaobu had become the pillar of the United Kingdom diving team and an "evergreen" on the diving platform. Daley, who now lives in the United States, has not ruled out participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"I want to spend some time with my family and then weigh up the situation [whether or not I'm going to the Olympics in Los Angeles]. Now I just want to enjoy the moment. He said.
The diver also has an interesting hobby – knitting sweaters. At both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, he was spotted knitting sweaters from the stands while watching the games. "Knitting a sweater relieves my nervousness." Daly said.
(Source: Xinhua News Agency)
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