Tom Daley has set tongues wagging after being spotted knitting in the crowd at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On July 26th, the 30-year-old diver was at the aquatics center, watching the women’s synchronized 3m springboard final – one of the first gold medal events of the Games. While the divers were pulling out all the stops, it was Daley’s unexpected hobby that caught the camera’s eye- Knitting. A very Victorian woman’s proclivity but ok. What caught his fancy to this obscure hobby though?

As a diver competing in his final Summer Games, Tom Daley was spotted sewing by the poolside. He was busy crafting a blue, white, and red jumper adorned with his surname on the back. But who introduced this hobby to him? It was his husband, Dustin Lance Black, during the lockdown. And since then Daley embraced the craft wholeheartedly. “I ordered some needles and some yarn, went on to YouTube, and taught myself how to knit.”

“With each project, I learned a new skill or a new technique or a new stitch. Then I started designing my own things,” Tom Daley shared. His knitting journey began during the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, a hobby he finds to be a cathartic distraction between events. As his skills evolved, he began to showcase his creations publicly, and it wasn’t long before people started noticing his knitting prowess at the Olympics.

Far from being just a pastime, Daley’s knitting became part of his Olympic persona. Not only did he capture attention with needles and yarn, but he also clinched gold in the men’s 10m synchronized platform event at Tokyo 2020, proving that his talents extend beyond the diving board.

As a flagbearer for Team GB, alongside rower Helen Glover, Daley stole the spotlight during the rain-soaked opening ceremony on Friday. Making history as the first British diver to compete in five Olympic Games, Daley previously clinched gold in the 10m synchronized diving event with Matty Lee at Tokyo 2020. This year, he’s determined to defend his crown with his current partner, Noah Williams.

However, it was his knitting video that truly captured the public’s imagination. Once it went viral, fans couldn’t stop weighing in and sharing their reactions.

The evolution of Tom Daley, weaving dreams into reality

Among the many fans, few chimed in. One fan added, “Dammit! He can do two-handed colour work while cheering on live sports and actually stick to a pattern without checking every row! Bloody show off.” well, this wasn’t the first time he was knitting this month. On July 17, he shared a design on social media for his brand, “Made with Love By Tom Daley,” which became popular after his knitting went viral at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

His blue sweater with red trim and the word “Paris,” shows his love for the craft. Daley has turned his hobby into a business, offering items like joggers and baby clothes. Knitting has become his way to unwind, and his collaborations with brands like Adidas and appearances in fashion magazines show how he’s successfully combined his Olympic career with his knitting passion.

Another fan added, “I love this! Tom has spoken in the past about knitting being a way for him to control his stress at competitions, essentially a form of stimming that a lot of autistic people will understand!” Back in 2021, Daley revealed that knitting was more than just a pastime for him—it was crucial for his mental health. In a Facebook video, he shared, “The one thing that has kept me sane throughout this whole process is my love for knitting and crocheting and all things stitching.”

He explained to the Associated Press that constantly focusing on his dives was exhausting. Mental health concerns were prominent at the Tokyo Olympics, with Simone Biles also stepping back to focus on her mental well-being. Daley is part of a larger trend where people use yarn crafts to combat stress and anxiety.

According to the Craft Yarn Council’s 2020 survey, 83% of respondents knit or crochet to relieve stress, and 93% found these activities helped them slow down. In a similar tone one more added, “Tom Daley’s knitting at the Olympics is amazing multitasking and a great way to stay calm under pressure!”

This talented British diver has built an impressive career, starting with two gold medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics that endeared him to the British public. He added a second Olympic bronze at Rio 2016 in the synchronized event with Daniel Goodfellow and finally clinched Olympic gold in the men’s 10m synchronized diving at Tokyo 2020 with Matty Lee.

Fans eagerly anticipate his return, with comments like, “Can’t wait for him to be in Action” and in a similar tone one more added, “Hahaha a pouch for his medal probably??.” After a two-year break during which he considered retiring, Daley announced his comeback in July 2023, aiming to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. And there he is!!