Tom Daley’s diving career has been a remarkable journey filled with incredible highs, but behind the scenes, he faced some tough challenges—especially around being open about his sexuality.
In a revealing new documentary set to release soon, Daley opens up about how early in his career, he was actually advised to hide who he really was.
The Struggle Behind the Spotlight
Daley, a five-time Olympic medallist who recently retired after the Paris 2024 Games, shares how his former management team warned him against being seen with his now-husband Dustin Lance Black, a famous screenwriter and LGBT activist.
Daley explains that the people closest to him suggested he keep his sexuality under wraps to protect his public image.
He recalls, “They said to be careful being photographed with Lance because he’s a big LGBT activist.
They didn’t want people thinking I was gay.”
That advice hit him hard, filling him with shame and fear, leading to difficult crisis meetings about what he should or shouldn’t do publicly.
A Documentary That Peels Back the Layers
The documentary, titled Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds, goes deep into both Daley’s early career and his personal struggles, offering a raw and honest look at his life.
It covers his introduction to Dustin Lance Black in 2013, at a time when Daley hadn’t come out publicly yet, and explores the internal conflict he faced with the pressures to conform.
Behind the Scenes of the 2012 Olympics Struggles
While many saw Daley as a shining star leading up to the 2012 London Olympics, the truth was far more complicated.
Daley reveals how mistreatment from senior British Swimming officials, now Aquatics GB, deeply affected him.
The pressure to lose weight led to an eating disorder that he struggled with in silence.
“At the end of 2011, I was told I had to lose weight by the director of British Swimming,” Daley says.
“I took drastic measures to make sure the food didn’t stay in my stomach.
It consumed all my thoughts leading up to the Games.”
He admits it’s still painful to talk about, but looking back, he wishes he had reached out for help.
Fighting Stereotypes and Feeling Isolated
Daley also talks about how, in his mind, men weren’t supposed to have eating disorders or mental health struggles. “Guys were meant to be macho,” he says.
Without anyone to confide in, Daley felt completely alone as he battled his inner demons, all while trying to perform at the highest level in his sport.
Starting Young and Facing Bullying at School
Daley’s diving career took off early. At just 14 years old, he was the second youngest male Olympian in British history when he competed in Beijing 2008.
Although he didn’t medal then, his seventh-place finish was impressive for such a young athlete.
However, returning to school brought a different kind of challenge.
Daley recalls being bullied by classmates who made life difficult.
“Me and my friend were even given a key to lock ourselves in a classroom at lunchtime just to get away,” he shares.
The bullying affected every part of his life—school, home, and diving—and at the time, he felt like everything was falling apart.
Reflecting on the Impact and Silence
Daley admits that people probably didn’t realize how much the bullying and pressures affected him.
“I didn’t really talk about it. I was almost embarrassed,” he says.
This new documentary sheds light on the private struggles of an athlete who seemed to have it all, showing the real human story behind the medals and achievements.