British and Olympic diving champion Tom Daley has recorded a very important video message to share some news he feels should come from him.
Tom Daley, aged 19 has had a tough few years with the pressure of exams, competitions, the Olympics and the tragic loss of his father, Robert, in 2011.
Today, with great courage, Tom made a video message lasting around 5 minutes telling everyone that he has never been happier and would like to announce that he is gay. He wanted everyone to hear from him first, not have people hearing rumours or twisted words that people have put their interpretation on, just straight from his heart.
He said in the video he’s “never really had a serious relationship to talk about” until now, when he is finally ready to say that he has “found someone who makes [him] feel happy and safe”. Daley went on to say that he’s never felt so happy and ‘that someone’ who is making him happy is “a guy”. Tom and his partner have been together since Spring and are happy in their relationship.
His whole world has changed and the way he is feeling is the happiest he has been in a long time, he doesn’t want people to make a big deal of it because to him, it’s not a big deal. His mum has been his rock through it all and although some other family members are having mixed emotions, he wanted to end rumours and just tell everyone outright.
He hopes everyone will still support him as nothing about his diving career or himself has changed, he’s still the same person he was before and he hopes everyone can “join [him] on his journey to Rio in 2016”.
We think Tom is extremely brave to be so open in the way he has told everyone about his sexuality; a lot of people would never have the courage. We hope everyone respects him for his life and maybe he can inspire more people to be more open on how they feel and to never be put down by people.
If you missed Tom’s video announcement, you can watch it below:
We wish Tom all the luck in Rio 2016 and are proud of the courage and maturity he has shown in telling everyone about his relationship.