Tom Daley named European Aquatics' Male Diver of the Year for 2024

After rounding out his diving career with an Olympic silver medal in Paris, Tom Daley has been named European Aquatics’ Male Diver of the Year for 2024.

It marks the fifth time that Daley has claimed the award, previously taking the title in 2009, 2015, 2017 and 2021 – making him the winner of the most awards in any category.

He came out on top of a five-man shortlist that also included his synchronised diving partner and individual Paris 2024 medallist Noah Williams.

Winners were chosen after a recent public vote between the finalists which contributed 30% of the final total with 70% of the votes coming from European Aquatic members and technical committee voting.

Upon returning to the sport, following a two-year hiatus after securing the Men’s 10m Synchronised Diving title in Tokyo alongside Matty Lee, Daley began teaming with Williams as the build-up to the Paris Games began.

He returned to his first major international event last February where he took a brace of medals at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

That event saw Daley become a world champion for the first time in seven years with gold in the Mixed Team Event alongside Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, Scarlett Mew Jensen and Dan Goodfellow – who announced his own retirement earlier this month.

Daley, who split his time between the University of California and the Aquatics GB Performance Centre, London, then replicated what he went on to achieve at Olympic level with Williams as they secured a hard-earned silver medal in the 10m synchro.

Medals in both legs and the Super Final of the World Aquatics Diving World Cup were scattered around the first half of the year for the diving legend before his final Olympic flourish.

That 10m synchro silver in Paris completed the set for Daley who ended his career with five Olympic medals as he broke new ground in the French capital by becoming the first British diver to compete at five Games.

The 30-year-old then called time on his career following the Games, saying goodbye to the sport that ‘he has loved so much’.

“I have to share this award with Noah”

Williams was the runner-up with the Dive London athlete’s standout moments coming in Paris teaming with Daley and securing an incredible individual bronze in the 10m Platform final.

Speaking in a video message to European Aquatics Daley gave recognition to teammate Williams, coach Jane Figueiredo and to all those that have supported him.

He said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you for voting me as Male European Diver of the Year.

“I was nominated with some incredible athletes in Jules (Bouyer), Matteo (Santoro), Oleksii (Sereda) and of course my synchronised diving partner Noah.

“I have to share this award with him because without him I wouldn’t have been able to dive this year. Now, as a retired athlete, it really brings everything to a close really nicely to win this award again.

“I would like to dedicate this to Noah because without him I wouldn’t have been at those Olympic Games diving in that competition. And of course my coach, Jane Figueiredo, and then everyone that’s supported my outside of the diving pool. My kids, husband, my mum and all my friends.

“So, thank you so much and I’m looking forward to being retired now I guess.”