Why does tom daley inspire you

Daley made his Olympic debut in Beijing four years ago as a year-old diving prodigy, and success since then - including a world title in - has led to high expectations of the teenager. He and diving partner Pete Waterfield just missed out on a medal in the men's 10m synchro event on 30 July, finishing fourth. Soon after Daley was at the centre of two cases of internet abuse after being sent messages on the Twitter website which resulted in two people being arrested.

His bronze medal success also comes just 14 months after the death of his father from brain cancer. Robert Daley, 40, had been a constant at poolside during his son's career and had pledged to see him compete in London.

Dr Paul Freeman, a sports psychologist at the University of Exeter, said Daley had probably accessed a "mental toolbox" of strategies which helped him block out the distractions of abusive tweets and the disappointment of his medal failure in the synchro competition.

Part of Daley's psychology could have been mental imagery and visualisation of how he could reach the goals he had set himself, Dr Freeman said. After he secured bronze, Daley's supporters in Plymouth said he was sure of a great welcome when he returned to the city. Dean Piper, 42, said: "I'm elated for him, so proud of him. For us, he is our hero and I just can't wait to see him.

Gymnast Bailey Hughes, 11, said Daley had inspired her to do well in sport. Although in the end, Tom Daley is a quintessential teenager. Daley lives at home in Plymouth with his father, mother Debbie and two younger brothers William and Ben, with whom he shares a room.

He says he gets along with his brothers; that they play video games together, but have lots of fights as well. Content and doing what he loves, the international diving elite might as well get used to seeing Thomas Daley around the pool.

Accept Cookies Only Essential Cookies. Thomas Daley GBR. Enjoy this article? Why not share Facebook Share on Facebook. Twitter Share on Twitter. Messenger Share on Messenger. Whatsapp Share on Whatsapp. To win gold with Daley, the godfather of modern British diving, is an added gloss. I remember running up to him and asking for photos and signatures.

I think I was about nine. All those years I was a fan, a little kid looking up to him. Daley was also asked about his father, who died when he was 17, and who was a major support in those early years. He never got to teach me to drive, have a pint down the pub. This article is more than 3 months old. Read more. Sign up for our Tokyo briefing with all the news, views and previews for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.