• Diving

Daley grabs European gold in Eindhoven

ESPN staff
May 20, 2012
Tom Daley racked up a personal best score in Eindhoven © Getty Images
Enlarge

In his last international competition before London 2012, Tom Daley claimed the European 10 metres platform title in Eindhoven.

Daley racked up a personal best score of 560.05, which included two 10s, to finish 49.65 points clear of nearest challenger Vicitor Minibaev of Russia.

And Daley, who turns 18 on Monday, feels his performance will send a message to his Chinese rivals ahead of the Games.

"I think they'll notice," he said. "I don't know if they'll be watching the European Championships too closely but I guess the word will spread about my score.

"It might say to them I'm coming up and doing it consistently to challenge them. I guess it will. That said while it might be good to try and intimidate them I don't think they get too intimidated!

"I think if I am to win an Olympic medal I'll have to score like I did today. Obviously in 2008 it was 538 [to win an Olympic gold] and most of my scores have been over that this year.

"But it is always different at each Olympics."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices