Olympic Games: Tom Daley says he had already ‘achieved everything’ before Paris 2024 silver - ‘This time was a bonus’
Updated 29/07/2024 at 16:40 GMT+1
Tom Daley made it five Olympic medals in five Games when he sealed a silver alongside Team GB synchro team-mate Noah Williams. Despite picking up silver – the only colour missing from his Olympic collection – Daley said he had already "achieved everything" after walking out in front of his family in Paris. "That was the moment I was like, ‘No matter what happens, I’ve done it'," he said.
Diving - Synchronised 10m Platform - Paris 2024 - Final - Mixed zone interview - Tom Daley
Video credit: TNT Sports
Great Britain legend Tom Daley secured a silver medal in the men’s synchronised 10m platform finals at Paris 2024 alongside Noah Williams to complete the set of Olympic medals – bronze, silver and gold.
He may have lost his Olympic title in the process, but with five medals in as many Games, the 30-year-old insisted he had already “achieved everything he wanted to” the moment he stepped out in front of his family at the Aquatics Centre in the French capital.
“Just before the competition started I saw my friends and family in the audience and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, don’t cry now',” he told Eurosport in an emotional interview after collecting his latest Olympic accolade.
“For me, that was the achievement and that was the moment I was like, ‘No matter what happens, I’ve done it'.
“I achieved the goal that I had when I set out with Robbie [his son] to go to the Olympic Games. Then I was like, ‘I’m just going to enjoy it’. I was soaking in the atmosphere, being able to be really present and actually enjoy it.
“I'd achieved everything I wanted to in the sport of diving,” he added. “This time around was a bonus because 15 months ago I was sitting around not doing anything and I decided to come back – lots of knitting still!
“But it’s very exciting.”
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‘Brilliant’ final dive secures Daley & Williams silver in synchronised final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Daley was joined by Williams on the platform this year, who impressed to help land the second place finish for Team GB at his debut Games.
The 24-year-old reportedly came close to quitting the sport after his coach, 31-year-old Dave Jenkins, suddenly died shortly after Tokyo 2020, where he was part of Team GB’s training squad.
“It means so, so much to me,” a tearful Williams said on Eurosport. “I worked with Dave for about six, seven years. Finally seeing all that work come to fruition means a lot to me. That’s all I can say.”
Williams said “it meant more” to him to win silver partnered with Daley, who he watched clinch his maiden Olympic medal 12 years ago at the London Olympics in 2012.
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‘What dreams are made of’ – Wilson hails Daley and Williams after Olympic silver
Video credit: TNT Sports
Eurosport expert Nile Wilson described Williams’ journey from a fan to team-mate of Daley was “what dreams are made of”.
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“It’s incredible for him,” Wilson said in the Eurosport studio. “You could see the emotion pouring off them when they hit each dive.
“There’s lots of love shown and I know they work incredibly, incredibly hard. Tom’s completed the set [by winning all three Olympic medals], he’ll be so delighted with how they performed.”
He added: “They should be so proud of their performance today. Noah as well, a first-time Olympian, Olympic medalist. That was incredible to watch.”
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
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