Daley laments absence of late father as Laugher continues his sharp rise

Daley confirmed he will be one of the faces of this summer’s showpiece with the most comfortable of wins in the 10m platform at the British Gas Diving Championships in Sheffield.

While the 18-year-old was unable to break his personal best of 565.05, which he set when reclaiming the European title last month, he did more than enough to ensure he was already decked out in a Team GB tracksuit before leaving Ponds Forge.

The Sheffield venue had set an emotional stage for Daley as it was the pool in which his father Robert last saw him compete before his death following a long battle with brain cancer last May.

Robert Daley had been a fixture alongside his son at all his competitions and had pledged to see his son compete in London this summer.

“It’s great to know that I have qualified and he will be proud of what I have done,” Daley said.

“It feels great to actually win here in front of my mum and my brothers; obviously it is sad that my dad is not here.”

Britain’s Olympic diving team will be confirmed in an announcement at lunchtime today, with only a few positions up in the air.

The women’s 3m springboard is one of those after winner Rebecca Gallantree failed to make the qualifying mark in an unusually poor preliminary round.

The City of Leeds diver responded though with a British record and personal best 326.05 to wrap up her fourth domestic title and must now await today’s announcement, with teenage duo Hannah Starling and Alicia Blagg, both from Leeds. also in contention.

“I was really pleased to get a good run out,” said Gallantree.

On Saturday, Harrogate-born Jack Laugher became one of the first British divers to confirm their Olympic spot, underlining his rising status by winning the men’s 3m springboard.

The 17-year-old will head to London with a personal best 480.80 under his belt from the preliminary round.

“It’s such a big thing in an athlete’s life – the Olympics – especially at home,” said Laugher. “I can’t even begin to imagine what 17,000 people cheering for you is going to be like. It’s going to be absolutely brilliant. I can’t wait.”