Diving: Finally some good news, says Tom Daley
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tom Daley has always insisted that it is in Rio in four years' time that he will be at his peak, but London was never going to allow him to get away with that. A home Games needs home faces and Daley, having charmed the world but won nothing in Beijing, was one of the chosen few.
There are two sides to the story. There is Daley the athlete, then there is the broader interest in him, some of it maliciously directed, and amid it all the death of his father, Rob, last year. He admitted late on Saturday that at times it has come close to overwhelming him.
He had come into the Games in the form of his life, but the Daley rollercoaster still had a couple of perilous dips to ride out. His fourth place in partnership with Pete Waterfield in the 10m synchro was "devastating". When he returned to the pool on Friday, he squeezed into the semis (as did eventual winner David Boudia). On Saturday, as he was making his way to the pool, a volunteer gave him a bag of sweets. Weight has been an issue with Daley but, in need of a sugar rush, he ate the pick and mix.
He went into the final confidence restored. It was that, and a maturity that has been thrust upon him, that saw him appeal following his poor first dive. The referee backed his complaint about flash photography and Daley did the rest. "It was about time my family had some good news," said Daley. "Although it's a bronze, it's a gold for me. It's a symbol of the effort I've put in. All the pressure I've had on me has been overwhelming. I now have a bronze to show for it. In Rio, I might be able to change the colour."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments