Star Metro - Diver Daley leaves door open for LA Olympics

The 30-year-old won silver in Paris with partner Noah Williams in the 10m synchronised platform to give him a fifth medal in five Olympics.

Daley gave up diving for two years after winning gold in Tokyo in 2021 but he returned to the pool at the request of his six-year-old son Robbie.

Daley stressed that he would take some time to decide his future, but he said "you never know" if another Olympic appearance in LA was a possibility.

"They might be adding different events into the Games in LA. I live in LA now so it could be a chance to do a second home Olympic Games," he said.

"But right now I just want to enjoy this moment and we'll see how it goes after that."

Daley and Williams finished second behind China's Lian Junjie and Yang Hao, who are the dominant force in diving and have won at the last three world championships.

Daley was watched at the Aquatics Centre by husband Dustin Lance Black, Robbie and the couple's other son Phoenix.

Daley said he had "achieved what I wanted to do".

"To be able to dive in front of my kids and my family was something that was really special," he said.

"An experience that I will never forget, even having Phoenix throw his water cup at me while I was doing the interviews."

- 'Cool cucumber' -

Daley and Williams were locked in a battle for second with Canada's Rylan Wiens and Nathan Zsombor-Murray but pulled away to secure silver.

It was an emotional medal for both of the Britons, but especially for Williams who was choked by tears as he recalled his former coach Dave Jenkins, who died in 2021 after the last Olympics in Tokyo.

Daley, whose father Rob died of cancer in 2011, said he was proud of himself even if his bid for a second gold fell short.

"I think most of that was being able to set an example to my kids in that if you have a dream and you work really hard, it doesn't mean that you're always going to achieve exactly what you want to but it's about enjoying the process," he said.

Daley had only one event in Paris, but Williams will also compete in the individual 10m platform.

Daley called his partner "a cool cucumber" and tipped him for more success.

"He is someone that has been doing everything that it takes to be up on an Olympic podium," said Daley.

"I'm hoping that this has relieved some of that pressure of wanting to win a medal. He has a great shot individually as well."

W.Richard--SMC