noah williams insists on diving partner Tom Daly She is in a class of her own after coming back from the brink of retirement to reach her fifth Olympic Games.
The 29-year-old’s name has been included in team gbThe first eight divers head to Paris this summer, exactly one year after the retirement U-turn was announced.
Dally said he was Inspired by son Robbie to go completely paris 2024Despite not competing in two years since winning Olympic gold in the 10m synchro event with the now injured Matty Lee in Tokyo.
But he will team up with new partner Williams to defend his title – and the pair are among the medal favourites.
They qualified for the Games with a silver medal at the World Championships in Doha earlier in the year, and are one of four formidable pairs who will represent Team GB at the Olympic Aquatics Centre.
Williams, who is gearing up for his second Olympics after competing in the individual 10m event in Tokyo, said: “I don’t think people realize how good Tom is.
“There is no one else in the world who can spend two years and then come back and be a world medalist and world champion in a team event.
“He is extremely hard-working and talented, he is miles above everyone else.
“Anything can happen on the day, we’ve done really well this year and I hope I can help Tom.”
Team GB have confirmed the first eight divers in the squad, while the British Diving Championships in May will play a key role in deciding the rest, with individual places still up for grabs.
Daly is not the only Olympic champion on the roster. Rio 2016 3 meter synchronized springboard champion Jack Laugher is competing in his fourth Games.
The 29-year-old had been struggling with his mental health since winning the gold medal eight years ago, but he rekindled his diving fire by winning a bronze medal in the individual 3m springboard in a tough competition in Japan.
He has partnered diving debutant Anthony Harding, who Laugher believes has further enhanced his willingness to give his all in the fourth game.
Laugher said: “When I was a kid I never thought I’d ever get to one, let alone four, so I’m very proud.
“It ignited the spark inside me that I needed as I get older and as athletes age, it’s important to keep that fire burning.
“It’s exciting to take Anthony to his first Olympic Games so I’m really looking forward to it and hoping it goes as good as it can.
“It’s a hard time to talk about before Tokyo, but it’s a great game to look back and know how strong I can be.”
Team GB has also fielded arguably its best ever women’s synchro team, featuring Andrea Spandolini-Ciriaux and Lois Tolson in the 10m synchro.
She became the first British diver to win a World Championship medal with a silver medal in the women’s event last summer, before Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mae Jensen matched their efforts in the 3 meter springboard.
Spandolini-Siriaux, who was just 16 in Tokyo, said: “With every experience, I have grown as a diver, as a woman, as a human being.
“It’s incredible to get these opportunities, I feel very fortunate to be able to compete for my country and my home nation and my club.
“I don’t think I have anything to prove, I think the results speak for themselves so it’s just about learning and enjoying.”
Aldi is an official partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes until Paris 2024.