Tom Daley: Coming out has been a ‘massive weight’ off my shoulders
Tom Daley has once again thanked his fans for showing him support over his decision to come out and has dismissed suggestions of pending retirement.
“The public support has been overwhelming,” the gay diver told BBC Sport in an interview. “Everyone’s been so nice.” It is also, he added, a “massive weight” off his shoulders.
Last week, Daley denied claims that he would retire from diving after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
“I’m not retiring,” he said, repeating his denial to BBC Sport. “I’ve no idea where that came from.”
The 20-year-old diver, who won bronze at London 2012, dismissed claims that he would turn his back on the sport because of a fear of failing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
He added: “Rio in 2016 is still my ultimate goal. But how far I go on after that really depends on how long my body holds out. Some divers last until they are 38, some until they are 22. I just have to listen to my body and then play it by ear.”
Daley will defend both the 10m individual platform and 10m synchronised pairs titles he won in Delhi four years ago at Glasgow 2014.
The London 2012 bronze medallist has also faced accusations that he has let non-diving commitments – such as fronting the reality TV show Splash! – overshadow his medal preparations.
But the double Commonwealth champion said: “Lots of people want to know what I’m up to and what I’m doing. But I don’t read any of the stuff in the papers, I just concentrate on my diving. It is my No1 priority. Everything else comes secondary. But having that other stuff there is a good escape for me.”
