British diving star Tom Daley tells Chinese rivals: ‘I’m the one to beat’

British diving star Tom Daley ramped up pressure on his Chinese rivals on Thursday saying they will have to beat him if they want to win Rio Olympic gold.

Daley is only 22 but already at his third Olympics and he says only gold will do, after winning an emotional bronze in the 10m platform, his main event, at London 2012.

Daley, who also goes in the men’s synchronised 10m platform with Daniel Goodfellow, said thoughts of his father Rob, who died aged 40 of cancer in 2011, will be extra motivation.

“I’m going into these Olympic Games for a gold medal and I’m going in with the mentality that the Chinese have to beat me, I don’t have to beat them,” Daley said on the eve of the opening ceremony in Rio.

“I’ve always wanted to win an Olympic gold medal and to do it for my Dad would be absolutely amazing.

“It’s not just me standing up on that board, but everyone around me, coaches, friends, family, support staff, everyone who gets you to that point.”