Tom Daley will make more history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after being selected to be one of Team GB's flag bearers at Friday's Opening Ceremony.
The four-time Olympic medallist will become the first British diver to compete at five Games when he links up with Noah Williams in the Men's 10m Synchro on 29th July - and he will now also become the first diver to carry the flag for Team GB, further rubberstamping his place as a modern British Olympic great.
When he joins rower Helen Glover in holding the Union flag at the front of the Team GB contingent at this Friday's flotilla procession down the River Seine, Tom - who made his Olympic debut as a 14-year-old in Beijing and was made an OBE in 2022 for services to diving, LGBTQ+ rights and charity - will follow in the footsteps of rower Moe Sbihi and sailor Hannah Mills, who carried the flag at Tokyo 2020, tennis player Andy Murray, the flagbearer at Rio 2016, and cyclist Chris Hoy, who carried the flag for Team GB at London 2012. The 2008 flagbearer was swimmer Mark Foster.
"To be asked to be flag bearer is one of the greatest honours in my Olympic diving career. To be able to do it in my fifth Olympic Games and have my family here is a very special thing," he said.
"It has always been a dream of mine, since I was a little kid. I remember in 2008 walking out behind the flag bearer right in the front line, because we were the smallest group of people, and to now be one of the two people to lead out the team is such a huge honour.
"If my dad was around now, he would be so incredibly proud, because he always said that you would know you have cemented your Olympic legacy if you are asked to be a flag bearer at an Olympic Games."
Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England added: "Tom and Helen exemplify and embody the values of Team GB and our great country. They are dedicated, hard-working, talented athletes, who have achieved greatness in their sports and have captured the affection of the nation in doing so. They are both truly proud to wear the Union flag and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing that first hand at every Olympic Games they have attended. It is an absolute privilege to name them as flag bearers for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games."