Tom Daley retiring: British diver on ‘the end of an era’

Daley had been one of the two British flagbearers for the opening ceremony and his husband and children were among a large contingent of family and friends at the Paris Aquatics Centre to give the British pair loud support.

“It’s just so special,” Daley said after they finished second behind China’s Lian Junjie and Yang Hao. “Doing it in front of my son who asked me to come back is so special. I now have one [medal] of every colour, I’ve completed the set.”

His two sons were wearing T-shirts that read ‘That’s my Papa’ and the first flicker of emotion from Daley came as he blew a kiss to his family from the medal podium.

On Monday, in an interview with Vogue,, external Daley confirmed his retirement, saying: “It was emotional up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive.

“But I have to make the decision at some point, and it feels like the right time. It’s the right time to call it a day.

“I felt so nervous knowing it was my last Olympics. There was a lot of pressure and expectation. I was eager for it to be done, but when I saw my husband, kids, my friends and family in the audience, I was like, ‘this is exactly why I did this’.

In an interview with the BBC after arriving back into London with other members of Team GB, an emotional Daley added: “Coming back to a reception like this is so special.

“It’s always hard when you say goodbye to your sport. Lots of things to process, but it’s the right time.

“The support I’ve had has been incredible. Thank you to everyone who’s been with me. I guess it’s the end of an era but I can look back on my 23 years and be very proud.”