TOM Daley is feeling fresher than ever and intent on focusing on long-term goals after rediscovering his love for diving in the wake of his Rio Olympic disappointment.
Despite a synchronised bronze with team-mate Dan Goodfellow, Daley failed to qualify for his favoured event, the 10-metres platform, and found himself eclipsed the gold medal exploits of Jack Laugher and Chris Mears.
But a brilliant recovery to win gold at the World Championships in Budapest in July re-affirmed Daley’s status among the stars of his sport - and his competitive spirit.
Daley said: “After Rio I decided to try to remember what it was like when I was 15 years old with no cares and pressures, and that really helped me bring the enjoyment back.
“I needed that change in mentality. You always learn most from your biggest mistakes. I put so much pressure on myself for Rio 2016, I built it up to being the biggest thing in the world and I worked so hard for it.
“But when I got there I felt so pressurised and intense. Sometimes you put too much pressure on yourself and things don’t click. You need a more rounded approach and more realistic goals and expectations.”
Daley made his Olympic debut in Beijing at the age of just 14 but says he hopes to go to many more despite insisting he is approaching veteran status in a sport which is producing plenty of younger rivals.
He added: “I have always said I will go on as long as my body will let me. Right now I have all my recovery measures in place but it’s impossible to set a date - only time will tell how much longer I can continue to compete.
“I’m an old man in the sport now. I no longer have the metabolism of a 15-year-old who can eat what he wants. I’ve got to look after myself and enjoy every moment of training.
“Next year is certainly going to be an exciting year. The Commonwealth Games has always been a very prestigious competition in my eyes, and competing on the Gold Coast in awesome outdoor venue is going to be very special goal for me.”
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