Secret Olympic diary of Tom Daley, aged 14 and a quarter 26.8.2008

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Secret Olympic diary of Tom Daley, aged 14 and a quarter


By Tom Daley

Last updated at 12:59 AM on 26th August 2008




At the ripe old age of 14 and a quarter, Plymouth's Tom Daley won the hearts of the British and Chinese public with his performances in the diving, coming a creditable seventh in the 10m platform event.

Here, with apologies to Adrian Mole, our youngest competitor since 1960 presents his secret Olympic diary.



I bump into world tennis No 1 Rafael Nadal in the Olympic Village and he agrees to a photo. I'm not sure if he thinks I'm a ball boy!
I bump into world tennis No 1 Rafael Nadal in the Olympic Village and he agrees to a photo. I'm not sure if he thinks I'm a ball boy!



OK, so I'm not as tall or as elegant as these three dancing statues. But I bet they're rubbish divers
OK, so I'm not as tall or as elegant as these three dancing statues. But I bet they're rubbish divers



I don't know if you've heard but I'm rather good when it comes to the pool. Table, that is
I don't know if you've heard but I'm rather good when it comes to the pool. Table, that is



This is my room, with good luck wishes on the wall. Ignore the teddy bears and my lucky monkey
This is my room, with good luck wishes on the wall. Ignore the teddy bears and my lucky monkey



As we waited at Heathrow to board the flight to Beijing, my diving buddy Tonia Couch - she's 19 - and I amused ourselves with a game of miniature ping-pong. Modesty prevents me telling you who won
As we waited at Heathrow to board the flight to Beijing, my diving buddy Tonia Couch - she's 19 - and I amused ourselves with a game of miniature ping-pong. Modesty prevents me telling you who won



On our second day of training, this phone box appeared in the village to make us feel at home. So Tonia and I were straight on to our families
On our second day of training, this phone box appeared in the village to make us feel at home. So Tonia and I were straight on to our families



Enlarge Er, I wasn't planning on a shave today, mate! Me with Chinese 'warrior' by the Great Wall
Er, I wasn't planning on a shave today, mate! Me with Chinese 'warrior' by the Great Wall



Tonia and I were having breakfast in the Village when GB tennis players Andy and Jamie Murray joined us. Actually I suspect they were more interested in her than me!
Tonia and I were having breakfast in the Village when GB tennis players Andy and Jamie Murray joined us. Actually I suspect they were more interested in her than me!



Enlarge Woo hoo! Competition is over and now we can just chill out. Here I am with my fellow divers, Tonia again, Ben Swain and American Kelci Bryant having fun beside the pool
Woo hoo! Competition is over and now we can just chill out. Here I am with my fellow divers, Tonia again, Ben Swain and American Kelci Bryant having fun beside the pool



Enlarge Here am I minding my own business at Heathrow when this strange woman called Tessa insists on giving me a bear-hug
Here am I minding my own business at Heathrow when this strange woman called Tessa insists on giving me a bear-hug






Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1049160/Secret-Olympic-diary-Tom-Daley-aged-14-quarter.html#ixzz1SE1tLHVi