Scroll To Top
Sports

Transcript and Video: Olympic Diver Tom Daley Comes Out

Transcript and Video: Olympic Diver Tom Daley Comes Out

Tomdaley_400x300

The British Olympic diver had made headlines when a newspaper interview had reported he isn't gay, but Tom Daley posted a YouTube video to clarify.

lucasgrindley

British Olympic diver Tom Daley revealed in a YouTube video today that "I still fancy girls, but right now I'm dating a guy and I couldn't be happier."

Daley said he met a man this spring and something "just clicked, it felt right." He opted to post a YouTube video because "I didn't want to get my words twisted, I wanted to put an end to all the rumors and speculation."

London's Mirror had reported in an interview in September that Daley had said, "I think it's funny when people say I'm gay ... I laugh it off." The 19-year-old Olympic diver had said, "I'm not. But even if I was, I wouldn't be ashamed."

In his YouTube video, Daley referred to an interview without naming the media outlet.

"Recently I was misquoted in an interview, and it made me feel really angry and frustrated and emotions I have never felt before when reading something about myself," he said. "For me, honesty is something that I really do believe in. And I have always been honest. I may have been vague in some of my answers but I have always been honest."

At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Daley won the bronze medal for the United Kingdom in the individual competition. He's now training to compete for his country in Rio in 2016.

Watch the video below, complete with a transcript.

Hi guys, so most of you are probably wondering why I am doing this video. Well, my life has been bit of a roller coaster, to say the least, over the last couple of years. I mean, losing my dad to cancer in 2011 was one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with in my life. And then winning an Olympic medal last year, in 2012, in front of a home crowd. Finishing my A-levels this year. It's been hectic. Well, one thing that I consider pretty important is to have some form of private life. You are probably thinking, why did you do a book and why did you do a documentary and all that kind of stuff, but I've only ever talked about things that I felt comfortable talking about.

When I was younger I hated talking about the bullying situation at school, and I didn't like talking about my dad because obviously at the time it was a sensitive subject. But I mean, it's one of those things that in an ideal world I wouldn't be doing this video because it shouldn't matter. But recently I was misquoted in an interview, and it made me feel really angry and frustrated and emotions I have never felt before when reading something about myself. For me, honesty is something that I really do believe in. And I have always been honest. I may have been vague in some of my answers, but I have always been honest. And one thing I have never really felt that comfortable talking about are my relationships because it's what I get asked even if I'm doing sporting interviews is, do you have girlfriend, who are you seeing, all of that kind of stuff. And I, I've been dating girls and I've never really had a serious relationship to talk about. And now I kind of feel ready to talk about my relationships.

Come spring of this year my life changed -- massively -- when I met someone and it made me feel so happy, so safe, and everything just feels great, and well, that someone is a guy. And it did take me by surprise a little bit. It was always in the back of my head that something like that could happen, but it wasn't until spring this year that something that just clicked, it felt right, and I was like, OK. And like I said my whole world just changed right there and then. Of course I still fancy girls, but right now I'm dating a guy and I couldn't be happier. I just feel safe. And it just really does feel right.

People are going to have their own opinions, and I think people are going to make a big deal of this. I mean, is it a big deal? Well, I don't think so.

People will call me a liar. People, I mean, it's going to be big, but I wanted to say something, and I feel like now I'm ready, and I wanted to do it. People will think what will your dad say, what would your dad would have said, he always said to me, as long as you are happy, I'm happy. And right now I couldn't be happier. My mom has been so supportive as well. I could count the number of people I've told on my hand.

But all of my friends and family that I've told have been so supportive, which has been great. But I told the rest of my family today, and let's just say there are mixed opinions. Lots of them didn't believe it. Lots of them wanted me to keep it quiet. Some said why don't you just do a statement, why don't you do a magazine cover, why don't you do a TV interview, but I didn't want to get my words twisted, I wanted to put an end to all the rumors and speculation and just say it and tell you guys. You know, it's what I want to do. My friends and family are always there to support me, and I hope you guys can be too.

I'm still Tom. I still want to win an Olympic gold medal in Rio 2016 for Great Britain. I am still as motivated as ever to do that, and it would be great to have you guys on that journey too. But I just wanted to make sure that I got to tell you guys before I head off to Houston for a training camp that I've got up until Christmas. So, I'm glad that I got it off my chest. I hope you can join me on my journey to Rio 2016 too.
RELATED: Photos of Tom Daley as Olympic Heartthrob
lucasgrindley
30 Years of Out100Out / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Lucas Grindley

Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.