Tom Daley knits while watching the Olympics, and the internet loves it

Virgin Radio

3 Aug 2021, 12:50

We didn’t think it was possible, but Tom Daley has made us adore him even more than we already did!

Not only is he an Olympic gold medal winner, a LGBTQ+ icon and, by all accounts, a lovely human being, but now he’s made the whole world fall in love with him by casually knitting while watching the Tokyo games. 

But wait, if that wasn’t wholesome enough, he auctions and raffles some of his creations for charity! 

What a legend.

After winning a thrilling gold alongside Matty Lee in the synchronised 10-metre platform, the diver shed a tear on the podium and later told interviewers, “I feel incredibly proud to say that I am a gay man and also an Olympic champion. When I was younger I didn’t think I’d ever achieve anything because of who I was. To be an Olympic champion now just shows that you can achieve anything.”

With our hearts already bursting with pride for Tom, when TV cameras later focused on him having a lovely old knit during the women's springboard final, the internet almost exploded with love.

One Twitter user said, “I love how Tom Daley knitting has become a highlight of the Olympics. this man truly is one of a kind.”

Another wrote, “I’m only watching the Olympics at this point to see Tom Daley knitting.”

Someone else said, “A highlight of the diving competition was Tom Daley going over to the side of the arena to pick up a new bag of wool for his knitting.”

The Olympic star has his own bespoke knitting Instagram account where he displays his efforts. As well as knitting himself a cute little pouch for his gold medal with the Union Jack on one side and the Japanese flag on the other, and (cuteness overload alert) jumpers for dogs, the 27-year-old raises money for good causes with his knitting.

He recently raffled off a rainbow jumper, raising £5,787 for the Brain Tumour Charity. Tom’s father died ten years ago from a brain tumour, aged just 40.

Tom has said that knitting helps him to be calm, to find mindfulness and that it relieves stress.

Speaking to his fans in a video on his knitting Instagram page, he said, "One thing that has kept me sane throughout this whole process is my love for knitting and crochet and all things stitching,"

The champion diver was recently picked up by TV cameras knitting a truly excellent Team GB jumper. 

We will definitely be bidding on that beauty if he ever auctions it for charity!