Tom Daley gunning for more Olympic glory

Tom Daley is on track to achieve ‘something extra special’ at Paris 2024, according to close friend and former swimming star Michael Gunning.

Four-time Olympic medallist Daley, 29, stepped away from diving after winning gold at Tokyo 2020 and topped the rostrum on his return in December at the British National Diving Cup.

Plymouth's Daley became a father for the second time during his extended break and Gunning believes time away from the pool was just what he needed.  

“Tom is amazing, an incredible athlete and person and it just shows you that family time and having other priorities is okay,” said Gunning, who was speaking at the 2023 Youth Sport Trust Young Changemaker Awards.

“When you’re a sportsperson, you think that you have to be committed to all these hours without any break, but Tom and Adam Peaty have both taken breaks and they’ve come back.

“I’m so excited to see their achievements this summer. Tom could do something extra special, I’ve got tingles thinking about what they can achieve.”

Triple Olympic gold medallist Peaty is also on the comeback trail after a mental health break, returning with bronze at the World Aquatics World Cup in Berlin in October.

“You’ve got the world looking at you and in an Olympic year everyone is looking at the times you do and competitions you go to, so the pressure is on,” said Gunning.

“Olympic year should definitely inspire more people but inspires us as athletes too, we love Olympic year and the support that we get, everyone pulls together.

“Anything could happen on the day but I know their preparation is great and they are even better now than they were before because of the break.”

Daley is hoping to compete at a fifth Olympics this summer, which would be a record for a British diver, but his legacy extends far beyond the pool.

After coming out as gay in 2018, Gunning turned to Daley for solace after a series of hate messages and now hopes that he too can provide that same support to athletes at Paris 2024 and beyond.

The Youth Sport Trust Young Changemaker Awards celebrate individuals and groups of young people who have made a real and impactful change to their life and the lives of others.