Overview
Tom Daley (born 21 May 1994 in Plymouth, England) is a competitive diver who rose to international prominence as a specialist on the 10 metre platform. He is known for both individual and synchronized platform events and for becoming a senior World Champion while still a teenager. Daley has represented Great Britain at multiple Olympic Games and has won medals at world, Commonwealth and European championships. Official profile and records give detailed results for his major competitions.
Career highlights and development
Daley progressed rapidly through junior ranks to senior competition. He was selected for the British team at the 2008 Summer Olympics as one of the youngest members of the delegation, and he won the senior World Championship title in the 10 metre platform in 2009 at age 15. At the 2010 Commonwealth Games he won two gold medals: one in the individual 10 metre platform and one in synchronized 10 metre platform with partner Peter Waterfield. At the 2012 Summer Olympics he earned an Olympic bronze medal in the individual 10 metre platform event. Over more than a decade he has continued to compete at top international meets. For season-by-season results and event lists see the competitive summaries at major diving event archives.
Events, technique and competitive strengths
Daley's main discipline is the 10 metre platform, which requires dives executed from a fixed platform at height rather than a springboard. He also competes in synchronized (synchro) events where two divers perform the same dive simultaneously and are judged on execution and synchronicity. Key aspects of his style include tightly controlled tuck and pike positions, consistent entries, and the ability to perform a high degree of difficulty under pressure. For explanations of scoring, dive groups and competition formats, consult introductory resources such as diving rules and judging guides.
Awards, public profile and significance
Beyond medals, Daley became a prominent public figure in the UK. He has received national recognition during his teenage years, including multiple young-sports honours from broadcast and sporting bodies. His visibility has extended into media, public appearances and a social media presence that reaches audiences beyond sport. He has used his platform for charity work and public conversations about sport and identity; further coverage of his outreach and media projects can be found at media and interview collections.
Notable facts and distinctions
- Early breakthrough: becoming a senior World Champion while still a teenager is rare in diving and marked him out as a prodigy.
- Versatility: competes at top level in both individual and synchronized platform events, requiring different mental and technical preparation.
- Longevity: has been part of multiple Olympic cycles, illustrating sustained performance over many years.
- Recognition: he has been awarded national young-sports honours and has a substantial public profile beyond competition.
Further reading and context
For a broader understanding of his role in contemporary diving, historical results and event-by-event performance, authoritative databases and federation reports offer complete lists of medals and scores. See competition databases and federation pages at official competition resources. These sources place individual results in the context of event formats, judging standards and the evolution of techniques in platform diving.
Tom Daley remains one of the best-known British divers of his generation, notable both for early success and for maintaining a long international career in a technically demanding sport.