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Olympic Diver Tom Daley Struggles Over Retirement Interview: ‘Not Like Me’

The British Olympian has always been a media pro, but he struggled with his answers as the reality of his retirement set in.

Tom Daley’s not usually lost for words, but the Olympic diving medalist looked way more emotional answering questions about his retirement on his arrival in the U.K. from Paris than he ever did moments before plunging off the high board for a front 4.5 somersault. He returned to grab silver in Paris with diving partner Noah Williams to go with his bronzes in London and Rio, and a gold and a bronze in Tokyo. “It’s the right time to call it a day,” he told British Vogue, but the 30-year-old athlete had way more trouble with the bottom lip as the BBC peppered him with questions in London. “Hard to talk about,” he said, choking back tears. “It’s really hard to talk about… but I’m very proud of my career. It’s all very overwhelming…it’s always very hard when you say goodbye to your sport. I didn’t realize I wouldn’t be able to speak. It’s not really like me. It’s just hard to talk when you love something so much.” Gracious as ever, he still stood there trying to explain how he was feeling when his cracking voice said all you needed to know. Top marks for patience and determination.

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