"In spring this year my life changed massively when I met someone, and they make me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great," said Daley.

"That someone is a guy."

The 19-year-old said that he "couldn't be happier" in the five minute clip where he announced his new relationship for the first time.

The diver claimed "in an ideal world I wouldn't be doing this video because it shouldn't matter," but thought it was necessary after being misquoted in an article written by The Daily Mirror earlier this year which appeared under the headline: "Tom Daley: I am NOT gay".

"Recently I was misquoted in an interview and it made me feel really angry and frustrated and emotions that I've never felt before when reading anything about myself," he said.

"For me honesty is something I really do believe in.

"I've always been honest.

"I may have been vague in some of my answers but I've always been honest."

Daley won bronze in the 10m Individual Platform dive competition at London 2012
©Getty Images



Daley, who took bronze in the 10 metre Individual Platform event at the London Olympics, admitted that the new relationship "did take me by surprise a little bit".

He added: "It was always at the back of my head that something like that could happen but it wasn't until spring this year that something just clicked, it felt right and my whole world just changed there and then.

"Of course, I still fancy girls but right now I'm dating a guy and I couldn't be happier and it makes me feel safe."

In the video, Daley revealed that his family had "mixed opinions" on the news, saying that "lots of them didn't believe it.

"Lots of them wanted me to keep it quiet.

"Some said: ,'Why don't you do a statement?' Some said: 'Why don't you do a magazine cover? Why don't you do a TV interview?'

"But I didn't want my words twisted."

Daley said that he was making the announcement to “put an end to all the rumours and speculation” surrounding his sexual orientation ©Getty Images

On his father's reaction, who died of a brain tumour in 2011, the young diver said: "He always said to me: 'As long as you're happy, I'm happy,' and right now I couldn't be happier."

He added: "My mum has been so supportive as well.

"All of my friends and family that I've told have been so supportive, which has been great.

"My friends and family have supported me and I hope you guys can too.

"I'm still Tom; I still want to win an Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016 for Britain.

"I'm still as motivated as ever to do that and it would be great to have you guys on that journey too."

There are few openly gay Olympic competitors.

At London 2012 it was estimated that there were only 23 out of more than 10,500 athletes.

They included Daley's diving rival, Australia's Matthew Mitcham, the Beijing 2008 10m platform gold medallist.

Others included Daley's Team GB colleague Carl Hester, who won a gold medal at London 2012 in the team dressage. 

Since London 2012, Nicola Adams, winner of the first-ever Olympic gold medal, has also come out and declared that she is bisexual and last November topped the "Pink List" of 101 gay, bisexual and transgender personalities published by the Independent on Sunday.

Tom Daley's rival Matthew Mitcham was among the few openly gay athletes at London 2012 ©Getty Images

Less than five hours after making the announcement, nearly 500,000 people had watched the video posted by Daley on YouTube.

British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes backed Daley.

"Everybody within British Swimming supports Tom and his announcement," he said.

"It's a very private matter and doesn't change the very positive way in which we will continue to work with Tom.

"Tom is one of the world's leading athletes and has achieved success at every level of competition including Olympic bronze and World gold.

"I hope the media will give Tom the privacy he deserves to allow him to continue to focus on performance as he continues to be an inspiration and role model to millions around the globe."

Edward Lord, chairman of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) Group Board, who leads on equality for the swimming's national governing body in England and who himself is one of Stonewall's LGB role models, also offered encouragement.

"We must all support Tom in taking this incredibly courageous step," he said.

"To be one of the first British Olympic athletes to come out is very brave and will, I hope, be a signal not just to other sportspeople but to all young people that you can be open about your sexuality, even in a very public environment.

"I am very proud of Tom."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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