British Olympic diving champion Tom Daley has unveiled his new swimwear collaboration with Adidas, and fans are already diving into the hype.
The five-time Olympic medalist, who came out in 2013 and married filmmaker Dustin Lance Black in 2017, took to Instagram on Tuesday (July 15) to reveal the limited collection.
“Serving dives and swimwear! Introducing the new adidas x @tomdaley swim collection,” Adidas captioned the post, which features Daley modelling a pair of retro-inspired swim briefs.
In one shot, Daley showcases his toned physique in a pose reminiscent of emerging from a pool. Another image captures him mid-dive, highlighting both the athleticism and sleek design of the swimwear.
Priced at £30, the trunks come in two colourways and are currently available through Adidas’ UK website. They’ve already received five-star reviews, with one satisfied customer writing:
“Nice material… good fit. Nice design. I like the idea these were by a ‘guest designer’ and who better to design trunks… than Tom.”
The Instagram comments were equally enthusiastic, with fans flooding the post in celebration of the collab.
“OBSESSEDDDDD,” one person exclaimed, while another added, “Always cut, your new collab is great.”
However, US fans expressed disappointment that the collection isn’t available stateside, with many calling on Adidas to expand distribution.
From Swimwear to Storytelling
Daley’s Adidas drop comes just weeks after the release of his deeply personal documentary, Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds, where he speaks candidly about the challenges he’s faced both as an elite athlete and a queer public figure.
In the doco, Daley reveals that he’s often approached by closeted queer athletes unsure of how to come out. He also opens up about his struggles with body image and an eating disorder, as well as the pressure to hide his sexuality early in his career.
“I remember organising a party and telling my management he [Dustin Lance Black] was coming,” Daley says in the film. “They said to ‘be careful being photographed with Lance, he is a big LGBT activist. You don’t want people thinking you are gay’.”
Daley recalled the fear that followed:
“I was suddenly filled with shame. We had all sorts of crisis meetings. You’re gonna lose all your sponsorship. You’re gonna lose all your fans.
“Like, how are you ever gonna be able to compete in the Middle East, in Russia, in all of these countries?”
Despite the challenges, Daley has remained a powerful advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusivity in sport — and now, in fashion too.
