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6 months ago
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Tom Daley will make history as the first British diver to compete at five Olympic Games at this year's contest in Paris.
The decorated 29-year-old first competed at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, before claiming his first bronze medal at his home games in 2012 in the 10m platform event.
Daley went on to win two more bronze medals in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, as well as the Team GB star's first gold in the 10m synchronised event.
Three years ago Daley refused to rule out a showing in the French capital, but began an extended hiatus from competition which saw him take a two-year break
But alongside new partner Noah Williams, Daley returned to action in 2023, clinching gold in the British National Cup, before winning a silver medal at February's World Aquatics Championships in Doha.
Tom Daley (right) will compete with partner Noah Williams (left) at the Paris Olympic Games
His selection will see him make history at a fifth games after claiming gold and bronze in Tokyo
Daley won his first Olympic medal at his home games over 12 years ago in 10m platform event
Daley and Williams were formally selected on Monday, alongside women's 10m synchonised competitors Lois Toulson and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, three-metre synchronised pair Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew-Jensen, and three-metre synchronised men's pair Anthony Harding and 2016 Olympic champion Jack Laugher.
'There is a fantastic mix of youth and experience within the squad, and I am delighted to welcome Olympic Champions Jack and Tom back,' Team GB's chef de mission Mark England said with the announcement.
'Congratulations to Tom in particular who becomes the first British diver to compete at five Olympic Games - a remarkable achievement.'
Daley admitted in July of last year that his return to competition was in part prompted by the desire for his son Robbie, aged five, to watch him take part in Paris.
The 29-year-old shared that his return to the pool had in part been prompted by his wish to compete in front of his son Robbie (pictured alongside husband Dustin Lance Black)
Daley and Black have two children: Robbie (left), 5, and one-year-old son Phoenix (right)
'I'm not ready to be done and hang up my trunks and move on with that part of my life,' Daley said in 2023 when announcing his return. 'Especially when my son Robbie said, 'Pappa I want to see you dive at the Olympics'.'
The family - including Daley's husband screenwriter Dustin Lance Black - had visited the Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, USA in 2023, and the experience had prompted a slew of emotions from the champion diver.
'We had the best time at time at the Olympic and Paralympic Museum playing different games and at the end we went into a room to watch a video about what it means to be an athlete and see those inspirational journeys,' he added.
'I just wept. I couldn't control myself. I hadn't grieved diving. I hadn't been doing it anymore and in theory I had retired and couldn't imagine going back to doing it again.
Daley competed at his first Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 (pictured during the 10m event)
Also selected were synchronised partners Lois Toulson (left) and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix
2016 Olympic champions Jack Laugher will compete at his fourth Olympic Games in July
Daley's partner from Tokyo Matty Lee has been sidelined after undergoing spinal surgery
'But coming out of that museum something changed in me and that has lit a new flame and fire inside me to see where this goes.'
Daley is based in Los Angeles, and Williams is set to travel to the States to practise alongside his partner for two weeks in May, having seen success despite scant time working together.
'I think he's got a guest bedroom,' Williams told BBC Sport. 'I am assuming he has, otherwise I have no idea where I am staying.'
Daley's previous partner from Tokyo, Matty Lee, is currently unable to compete after undergoing spinal surgery in March.
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