Olympic diver and Team GB heart-throb Tom Daley paid an emotional tribute to his late father Rob who died last year as he celebrated his Bronze medal win at the London Olympics on Saturday night. (Aug 11)
The 18 year-old, who was under pressure as one of the 'face of the games' came out in third after the individual 10m dive and was over the moon to get his hand on a medal.
Tom overcame a difficult year to make it to the Olympics after his biggest supporter,father Rob died last year after a long battle with cancer at just 40 years old.
"I just wish he was here, but to make up for it all my family and friends were here," he told the BBC shortly after his triumph.
"The last 18 months have been tough with losing dad. That was a bad time for my family but I have come out the other end and I have an Olympic medal to show for it."
The 18 year-old first became a household name when he competed at the Beijing Olympics at just 14. The Plymouth born athlete admitted coming into the home games as a favourite medal hope without his father was difficult.
"It is really tough not having my dad here, but I am so happy that all the hard work we put in together, all the effort of going to training and all the ups and downs paid off,” he revealed.
"I know if he was here he would be very proud." Tom went on to dedicate his Bronze to Rob.
"I want to dedicate this medal to my dad, my family, my supporters, my friends and the British public, for being so supportive over the last couple of weeks.
"I've had a rollercoaster of emotions over the last couple of weeks, but I have got an Olympic medal and I can't ask for any more."
His mother Debbie told the MailOnline that she was incredibly proud of Tom's achievement. "I'm ecstatic for my darling boy after all the years and all the heartache,” she said.
Proud doesn't even start to cover it. As well as letting slip some secrets about her son's love life, Mrs Daley also touched on the tragedy that her husband never saw Tom realise his dream of Olympic glory.
"I'm so sad his dad Rob wasn't here to see him collect his medal. This was very much the dream which sustained him as he fought his cancer.
"He wasn't here to see it being realised – but I recognise his spirit living on in his son."
As well as becoming an Olympic medalist Tom has also become the latest teen heart-throb. Cheryl Cole has already flirted with him on Twitter and requested “private diving lessons”.
Tom Daley Tweets From The Athletes Village....
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