Daley gold puts him on course for Olympics

Tom Daley almost certainly confirmed his Olympic place last night as he took gold alongside Pete Waterfield in the 10 metre platform synchro at the British Gas National Championships in Sheffield.

The duo proved they would be genuine medal contenders in London after producing a British record and personal best 475.55. Their place will not be confirmed until Monday’s team announcement, although it is unthinkable Daley, British diving’s poster boy, or veteran Waterfield could miss out. “It’s perfect timing really. We are going in the right direction,” Daley said. “We’re really happy with the way we performed today with a British record and personal best.”

Newly-crowned European women’s platform synchro champions Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow were unopposed as they also set a British record and personal best. In the springboard men’s duo, Chris Mears and Nick Robinson-Baker claimed a third consecutive British crown before their female counterparts Rebecca Gallantree and Alicia Blagg also won. Blagg, 15, said she could not wait to find out whether she has done enough to go to the Olympics.