British divers support decision to postpone Olympic Games until 2021

Some of Great Britain’s top divers have welcomed the decision to postpone the 2020 Olympic Games by up to a year.

The International Olympic Committee revealed that the Tokyo Games will take place ‘no later than summer 2021’ due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom Daley is the veteran of the British team as he prepares for his fourth Olympic Games.

The two-time Olympic bronze medallist admits the delay will take a toll on his performance, but insists the health of the wider population should always be the priority.

He wrote: “Waiting one more year to reach for our dreams is well worth the sacrifice to help keep people safe.

“Yes, I’ll be another year older, and my body will feel that.

“But I promise to work my tail off to make Team GB as proud as I can when the time comes.”

A good call

Daley won bronze alongside Daniel Goodfellow in the 10m Synchro at Rio 2016.

Goodfellow may welcome the postponement more than some after switching from the platform to the springboard and linking up with Jack Laugher in 2019.

The pair have enjoyed an impressive start to their 3m synchro partnership, winning a silver medal at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju. 

They also won silver at the opening event of the FINA Diving World Series 2020, and Goodfellow is ready to refocus in his bid for a maiden Olympic title.

He wrote: “The correct decision to postpone the Olympics to a later date [was made] today.

“It feels strange right now, but we will be back working towards that same goal in the not so distant future.”

Meanwhile, Daley’s 10m synchro partner, Matty Lee, added: “I personally think this is the best call, to give the world a chance to heal and to give us a chance to fully prepare for the Olympic Games.”

Top