Tom Daley will arrive at the Rio 2016 Games as one of the favourites in the diving competition and if he succeeds in winning a second Olympic medal, it seems likely he’ll celebrate in true carioca style. The British diving prodigy – who recently starred in a TV show about backpacking around the world – is keen to embrace the local culture during the first edition of the Games in South America.  

“I’ve never been to South America, but it’s a continent I’d love to explore,” Daley told rio2016.com. “I’ve heard great things about Rio and I’m looking forward to seeing it for myself. I imagine the 2016 Games will capture the carnival element of the host nation. Hopefully they’ll be lots of music and dancing. I’m expecting there to be a real buzz around the city.”

‘Tom Daley Goes Global’ was broadcast on British television earlier this year and was Daley’s second stint in front of the camera, having already been an expert diving mentor on ‘Splash’, a reality show in which celebrities tried diving. The recent programme gave Daley, who won bronze in the 10m platform event at London 2012, the chance to experience some of the things he perhaps missed out on because his sporting career began so early.

“It was a great experience for me, it gave me the opportunity to explore some of the world,” said the current world No.3. “With diving you travel the globe, but we only ever see the pool and the hotel. I was given six weeks off training after the world championships and thought ‘I want to explore’. Diving has always been my number one passion, but I love working in TV. It’s something I’d definitely like to explore once I’ve retired from diving.”

Daley started diving aged seven and was just 14 years old when he competed at the Beijing 2008 Games, finishing seventh in the individual competition and eighth in the synchronised event. He was the youngest British Olympian for 48 years. He was so young he could not even get a tattoo – something he put right after the London Games, when he had the famous rings inked on his right biceps.

Tom Daley was finally old enough to get his Olympic tattoo after the London 2012 Games (Photo: Getty Images/Clive Rose)

“A lot of Olympians get an Olympic tattoo once they’ve competed at a Games. In 2008, I was too young to get a tattoo, but for my 18th birthday [just before London 2012] my mum’s present to me was a tattoo. I got it done as soon as I was home from the Olympics.

“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to represent my country from such a young age. I don’t think at 14 I really appreciated the magnitude of taking part in the Olympics.”

One year after Beijing, at the diving world championships in Rome, Daley became Britain’s youngest ever world champion in any sport when he won the 10m individual event at the age of 15. Now 20, Daley has grown up quickly, often under the glare of media attention. He earned huge respect and affection around the world when he announced last year that he was in a relationship with a man. Daley was praised for being open about his sexuality and has become a role model.

“The reaction has been fantastic,” he said. “Everyone has been so supportive.” It was notable that Daley chose to make the announcement on YouTube, rather than through traditional media. “Social media is a great tool to express yourself,” he explained. “You can say what you want and on your own terms.”

Daley’s primary focus now is on trying to win a gold medal in Rio. “I want to be in the best possible shape for Rio 2016. Whilst it is my main goal, over the next two years I’ve got some major competitions to focus on. There’s the World Series each year, the Commonwealth Games, world cup and European championships this year, and then the world championships next year.”  

You can follow Daley’s preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in the Road to Rio video series on his YouTube channel.