Tom Daley fans declare ‘Olympics has started’ as diver spotted knitting in crowd

When isn’t Tom Daley knitting?

The Team GB diver was at it again today with his yarn and needles as he took a prime poolside spot for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Tom, 30 – who became somewhat of a meme for his knitting habits at the last Tokyo Olympics in 2021 – just couldn’t get enough of the woollen hobby as he hunched over a jumper while supporting Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew at the Aquatics Centre.

The two athletes won the first Team GB medals of Paris with their dives in the Women’s Synchronized 3m Springboard this morning after a dramatic opening ceremony last night featuring performances from Celine Dion and Lady Gaga.

The athlete, who took up knitting during the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, worked on a blue, white and red jumper with his surname emblazoned on the back.

Tom, who previously said he finds knitting a cathartic distraction between events, won gold in the men’s 10m synchronised high board event at Tokyo, where he was regularly photographed in the act.

Having published a practical guide to knitting called Made With Love in October 2022, he’s somewhat of an expert after just a few years wielding his needle.

Fans were loving the pictures of Tom enjoying himself, and @ClaireD143 wrote on X: ‘The Olympics only officially starts when Tom Daley gets his knitting out.’

‘Tom Daley sitting watching the diving with his knitting is the cutest thing in the world,’ added @brooksybradshaw.

‘It wouldn’t be an Olympics without Tom Daley knitting in the crowd,’ commented @hyyh_m19.

Tom will begin his Olympic efforts on Monday 29 July, competing in the 10m synchronised platform event. 

He looked to be relaxed on the first day of sport, having been team GB’s flagbearer along with rower Helen Glover during the drenched opening ceremony on Friday.

As Team GB took part in the parade of athletes along the River Seine on a boat, he and Glover recreated the famous Titanic film scene where Leonardo DiCaprio holds Kate Winslet on the bow of the doomed ship.

Celine Dion, who sang the theme My Heart Will Go On for the Oscar-winning movie, closed the ceremony with a moving performance from the Eiffel Tower.

Singing Edith Piaf’s L’Hymne A L’Amour, it was the Canadian singer’s live performance since revealing she has the rare neurological condition, stiff person syndrome (SPS), which causes muscle spasms and progressive muscular inflexibility.

Tom, who has two children with Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, wrote on Instagram: ‘Such an honour to be carrying the flag at the opening ceremony for Team GB with @helenglovergb.

‘I made a little heart hand signal for my boys watching on TV! I am so excited to have them here to share this experience with me for my 5th games! Even if it was a little wet.’

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