Tom Daley celebrated his London 2012 bronze as if it was a gold medal, but he would be disappointed with anything less than first place in Rio.
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Posting a selfie with his mother Debbie, partner Dustin Lance Black and other members of his family, he said: “So nice to have my family here to support me. Coaches, friends, family, support staff, everyone that gets you to that point”.
The 22-year-old Daley is among the more than 40 out athletes participating in this year’s Rio Olympics, which start Friday.
“Going into a competition like an Olympic final that’s what you want to know, that you can score a 10 on every single one of your dives”.
“I only had a week off before I went into training for the junior world championships, but in that week I had a taste of what it was like to be a normal 18-year-old, and I really liked it”.
“Now on all of my dives I feel confident that I could score 10 on every single one of them”.
“I do feel like these Olympic Games are definitely going to be the peak Games for me”.
“My coach Jane Figueiredo has wanted me to do kickboxing, ballet, spin classes”.
“He had lots of his friends actually be able to confide in him a little bit more”.
And Daley would be happy if the heavens opened on Monday afternoon.
“There have been lots of things that have been slightly different than 2012”. I feel good physically.
One thing that might change post-Games is that Daley may have a caipirinha, he hopes in celebration. Daley said he is looking forward to a cocktail when the event is finished as he has been teetotal since 2014.
“I wanted to go into this Olympics, no regrets, the best shape I possibly can be and I don’t regret anything for one second going into these Games. That break was exactly what I needed”.
Water hazard Tom Daley, look out!
But it is not all about Daley, with others in medal contention, including Jack Laugher, Chris Mears, Tonia Couch and Lois Toulson.
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“I don’t think we can come out of this competition without medals”.
