Daley recognised with Social Impact prize at UK Sport's PLx Awards

Daley, who was part of the Men's 10m Synchro pairing which took a historic gold medal in Tokyo last year alongside Matty Lee, won the Sustainability and Social Impact Award at the awards ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday (29th November) for his campaigning work outside of the water. 

Tom was selected for the award for his bravery to utilise his platform for positive change, both in the Commonwealth and in wider society. 

This included the introduction of the Commonwealth Games LGBTQ+ manifesto, his participation in the Opening Ceremony and amplifying other athletes and advocates from across the Commonwealth via a BBC documentary. Tom’s advocacy for change demonstrated a profound example to other major sporting events in how to ensure its athletes, support staff and spectators feel seen and heard.

“It was an incredibly emotional moment. But it wasn’t about me, it was about every single LGBTQ+ person around the Commonwealth and the world. Even if it made the smallest difference to someone out there, it was worth it. Because someone might have seen it and felt a little less alone in the world," he said.

The 28-year-old's telling advocacy impact away from sport adds to a long list of diving achievements, which has seen him secure four Olympic, six World and eight European medals, on top of his five trips to the Commonwealth Games podium with Team England. But it was a different Commonwealth involvement in 2022 that saw him make such an impact and be awarded the Sustainability and Social Impact recognition, as Matty and coach Jane Figueiredo explain below...

Social impact & sustainability award

🏆 @TomDaley1994 – @britishswimming

Tom utilised the platform he has and the platform of a major event to power positive change and spark a conversation around LGBTQ+ rights at Birmingham 2022 💫#PLx2022 pic.twitter.com/Gzu7MAOydb

— UK Sport (@uk_sport) November 29, 2022