OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Daley hopes bronze will inspire new generation

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat , London 2012

TOM Daley hopes his performance in winning an Olympic diving bronze medal in London will inspire British youngsters to take up the sport.

Daley wants Team GB to have the pick of the best young diving talent in the country by the time he goes in search of gold at Rio 2016.

The 18-year-old picked up only Britain's seventh medal ever in Olympic diving at the Aquatics Centre, diving consistently well and finishing with a score of 556.95 points.

INSPIRATION: Tom Daley is hoping his bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics will inspire a new generation of divers

American David Boudia claimed gold, with hot favourite Qiu Bo, China's world champion, having to settle for silver.

Daley was roared on by a passionate crowd of 17,500, with millions more watching on TV. And he hopes his performance will have a lasting impact.

"The whole experience of London 2012 has been amazing," said Daley.

"The British public have really embraced the Olympic Games and I really hope everyone does take something from the Games.

"Hopefully I have created some opportunities for people who want to take up diving.

"They may never have seen it on TV before but now want to give it a go, and hopefully in a few years time we will have lots of divers to choose for the future."

Lloyds TSB, proud supporter of Team GB and proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Get closer to the Games at lloydstsb.com/london2012.

© Sportsbeat 2012