Tom Daley makes a powerful return to the spotlight with his deeply personal new documentary 1.6 Seconds, now streaming globally on Max and on Olympics.com in the U.S.
The film explores the journey of the Olympic gold medalist beyond the diving board, diving into the grief, pressure, and self-discovery that shaped his life.
At the heart of the documentary is Daley’s bond with his father, Robert Daley, who died of brain cancer in 2011 when Tom was just 17 years old.
The loss of his biggest supporter left Daley feeling emotionally isolated, even as he competed on the world stage.
He describes slipping into “autopilot,” throwing himself into diving as a way to cope with overwhelming grief and confusion.
Daley admits that for years he suppressed his emotions, wore a brave face, and avoided dealing with the pain he carried.
Related: Gay Diver Tom Daley Opens Up About His Body Struggles
Everything began to change in 2013, when he met Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who would later become his husband.
Daley tells People that Black helped him realize that vulnerability is not a weakness and that diving was not the only thing that defined him.
The couple married in 2017 and later welcomed two sons via surrogacy — Robbie in 2018, named after Tom’s father, and Phoenix in 2023.
Daley shares that their relationship gave him the strength to open up emotionally and learn that it’s okay to struggle, and to lean on others for support.
The film also touches on his coming out journey, his battle with body image and bullying, and the emotional fallout from the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he failed to win gold.
Black’s words during that low point — “Your story doesn’t end here” — helped Daley reframe his disappointment and focus on the bigger picture.
He went on to win gold and bronze at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, and silver in Paris 2024, before retiring to focus on fatherhood and advocacy.
1.6 Seconds is not just a documentary about sport, but a moving story of resilience, healing, and queer love — a reminder that the most important victories often happen outside the arena.
Related: Tom Daley’s Flirty Poolside Strip Comes with a Vital Message