Daley to show he is still the daddy
dizziness,” said Daley. “It wasn’t nice. I haven’t had the best of preparations. I have had a few illnesses that have prevented me from training as much as I’d like.
“I had to have a few weeks where I wasn’t able to do very much and that was only a few weeks ago. I was cleared four days ago, so I am coming back and doing the best I can with what I’ve got. But I’m feeling good now, which is the most important part.”
Daley and his Hollywood screenwriter husband revealed on Valentine’s Day they are expecting their first child later this year using a surrogate in America. He admits that becoming a father will change his approach to diving, with the child taking priority.
Daley said: “The kid is No1 now, diving is No2. It will be interesting how that affects my diving.
“It will be instead of diving in a completely crazy place and going home to chill out, home will be the crazy, chaotic place and diving will be the opposite. It changes your perspective on a whole manner of things. It’s really good and exciting to have that distraction away from the diving.
“You can think afterwards that there are some exciting things happening no matter what happens here.”
Daley is determined not to leave the Gold Coast emptyhanded. He will be joined by diving partner David Goodfellow for the 10m platform synchro tomorrow week. Then, 24 hours later, he will bid for a third 10m platform gold, having won in Delhi 2010 and Glasgow four years ago. He also has 10m springboard synchro gold from the Games in India.
Daley arrived in Queensland as early as possible to get used to competing in an outdoor pool, where the conditions can change for each dive. He says he is using the Games as part of his preparation for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, where he wants the gold medal that has so far eluded him. The two-time bronze medallist added: “It’s going to be interesting diving in these conditions – outdoors, windy, rainy, or it can be blistering sunshine or cloudy.
“The Commonwealth Games is a very prestigious event. To have three Games where I have been successful would be awesome.
“The good thing about the Commonwealths is it’s the closest thing you can get to competing in a multi-sport Games and getting used to what that means for Tokyo.”