Tom Daley vividly remembers strolling out into the Hen’s Nest for the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Video games. Fourteen years previous on the time and the youngest on the Nice Britain group, the diver was mesmerised following within the footsteps of the group’s flagbearer, five-time Olympian Mark Foster.

Sixteen years later, Daley himself has arrived at his fifth Olympic Video games, at Paris 2024, and is chosen to hold the nation’s flag on the Opening Ceremony along with rower Helen Glover.

“I keep in mind strolling out in 2008 within the Opening Ceremony behind Mark Foster who was our flagbearer then and to suppose now, flash ahead 5 Olympics, and to be named flagbearer,” Daley stated. “It was an enormous honour and, in fact, the one reply was sure.”

Having already received an Olympic gold medal and defied expectations by managing to qualify for his fifth Olympic Video games – a uncommon feat within the diving world – Daley is just not placing any stress on himself in Paris, however is decided to savour the expertise.

In contrast to Tokyo 2020, the stands shall be packed once more and that’s an environment Daley can thrive in. For him, nevertheless, even having solely three spectators can be sufficient.

“(At Tokyo 2020) there was none of that pleasure outdoors of the pool, which made it very focussed, but additionally made it very intense, whereas this time I believe a number of athletes want to actually take in the expertise. However for me, going into this when it comes to expectations, I simply need to have the ability to exit, present my finest,” Daley stated. “My largest achievement is to have the ability to dive in entrance of my husband and my two little children.”