Retired Olympian Daley Hits Reel With Tokyo Knitwear Show

(AFP) – Tom Daley has knitted sweaters, cardigans and swimsuits, and now the retired Olympic diving champion is showing off his most colorful creations yet at an exhibition of his craftsmanship in Tokyo.

The Briton returned on Friday to the city where he won Olympic gold with Matty Lee three years ago to open an exhibition of his knitting and crochet, which will be open until November 25.

It includes technicolor jumpers, dayglow sweaters and the Olympic-themed cardigan that made him a viral sensation when he was spotted knitting it while waiting to compete in the Tokyo Games in 2021.

The 30-year-old retired from diving after winning silver at this year's Paris Olympics and said he could now “explore other things” with more free time.

“For me, knitting is my escape, it's what I think helped me win an Olympic gold medal here in Tokyo,” Daley told AFP.

“I take people on the journey of how I learned to knit, why I learned to knit, and then I take it through to all my creations.

“People will also be able to see my Olympic medals.”

Daley says he took up the hobby in 2020 as a way to force himself to sit still and allow his body to recover from training sessions, but then “became completely obsessed with it.”

Since then, she has rarely put down her needles, even posing in knitted swimsuits, and hopes her love of knitting is reflected in the exhibition.

“For me it's about community, about craftsmanship, about being handmade and slowing down,” he said.

“That's something I love about knitting, which is also incredibly valuable for mental health.”

Daley was present to give a workshop to visitors on the opening day of the exhibition.

Some of their creations on display will be sold at auction, with proceeds going to a Tokyo-based LGBTQ organization.

Daley says he would like to do another show and is enjoying having more time since he retired from diving.

She says she hopes to be involved in broadcast work for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband Dustin Lance Black and their children.

Daley says she also wants to expand her “passion for knitting” and “bring it to as many people as possible.”

“If someone had told me five years ago that I was going to be more famous for knitting than diving, I probably would have laughed,” he said.

“But it's one of those things… I can't imagine my life now without knitting.”