Tom Daley reveals future plans as Olympics icon retires from diving aged 30
Tom Daley has revealed he plans on embarking on a sewing course after retiring following his involvement at the Paris Olympics this summer
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Tom Daley has revealed he plans on embarking on a sewing course after retiring following his involvement at the Paris Olympics this summer.
The 30-year-old has opted to walk away from diving after a brilliant career that has seen him win five Olympic medals over the years.
Daley believes it is the right time to quit the sport he loves, having previously considered retirement after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
And the Team GB icon has now revealed he plans on learning how to sew, having become a keen knitter over the past few years.
Tom Daley has revealed he plans on embarking on a sewing course after retiring following his involvement at the Paris Olympics this summer
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After saying a career in front of the camera could appeal, he told Vogue: "I’ve also enrolled in a class, a course at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, to be able to learn how to sew.
“I knit and I crochet, but sewing will just add a whole different level of knowledge as to how to construct things.
"I’ve actually designed a couple of pieces of underwear that I’m going to be launching, and then I’m also hoping to launch a swimwear project next year."
Daley says he knew beforehand that this Olympics would be his last.
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He came close to retiring three years ago but his husband, Dustin Lance Black, convinced him to keep at it.
Daley says it feels 'surreal' to be retiring from diving, having first appeared at the Olympics as a 14-year-old in 2008.
But he's at peace with the decision, adding: "It feels very, very surreal. I felt so incredibly nervous going into this, knowing it was my last Olympics.
"There was a lot of pressure and expectation. I was eager for it to be done… but when I walked out, and saw my husband [Lance] and kids [Robbie and Phoenix] and my friends and family in the audience, I was like, you know what? This is exactly why I did this.
"I’m here, and no matter what happens in the competition itself, I’m going to be happy.
“It was emotional at the end, up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive.
“But I have to make the decision at some point, and it feels like the right time.
"It’s the right time to call it a day.”
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Tom Daley is proud of everything he's achieved having previously won gold at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago
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At Daley's first Olympics, he managed to finish seventh despite his young age.
He then secured bronze at London 2012 four years later.
Daley added another bronze to his collection at Rio in 2016 before the crowning moment of his career in Tokyo, when he won gold in the men's 10m synchronized diving.
With the 30-year-old winning silver in Paris this summer, he now has a total of five Olympic medals to his name.
Tom Daley poses with the silver medal he won at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer
PA
And Daley says he's 'incredibly proud' of everything he's achieved over the years.
“To currently be Britain’s most decorated diver… I feel so incredibly proud," he admitted.
"When I look back, I’m really, genuinely satisfied with what I’ve done.”