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Our beloved Olympic hero, Tom Daley, has officially hung up his Speedo and retired from competitive diving after a dazzling career that has spanned five Olympic Games. The 30-year-old British diver, who has become nothing short of a household name since his debut at the tender age of 14, leaves behind a legacy of glittering medals and a trail of inspiration for future generations.
At the 2024 Paris Games, Tom secured his fifth and final Olympic medal— a silver in the men’s 10m synchronized platform with his dive partner Noah Williams. This final flourish was witnessed by an emotional audience, but none more so than by Tom’s husband, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, and their two adorable sons, Robbie and Phoenix, who were right there in the stands to cheer him on.
In an intimate announcement with Vogue, Tom revealed that he knew this was his last dive even before stepping onto the platform in Paris. “It was emotional at the end, up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive,” he shared. And who could blame him for getting a bit misty-eyed? After all, this was the final bow of a career that began in Beijing in 2008 when he was just a wide-eyed teen.
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Now, Tom is far from just a diving superstar; he’s become a beloved figure in the LGBTQ+ community, a fashion icon, and a symbol of queer joy, all while balancing fatherhood and an enviable marriage. The diving world might miss him, but he’s not disappearing from our lives any time soon. His Instagram is still where you’ll find your daily dose of knitting, dad jokes, and the occasional glimpse of those fab abs—because some things should never change.
Tom’s journey hasn’t been just about medals, though. It’s been a voyage of self-discovery, coming out, and embracing his identity in front of the world. He’s shown that being an out and proud gay man is not just compatible with elite sports; it’s a strength. His marriage to Lance and their beautiful family is proof positive that queer love is powerful, resilient, and worth celebrating.
Reflecting on his final Olympics, Tom said, “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.’” In the end, it wasn’t just about the medals or the records; it was about the love and support that lifted him to those dizzying heights.
So, what’s next for Tom? Well, the sky’s the limit. Whether he’s designing new knits, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, or just being a full-time dad, you can bet we’ll all be watching—and cheering him on every step of the way.
To Tom, we say thank you. Thank you for the dives, the courage, the representation, and for being one of us. We’re thrilled to see where you’ll go next—whatever it is, we know it’ll be fabulous.
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