Calgary divers and knitters welcome British Olympic champion Tom Daley – Calgary

As an Olympic city, Calgary is used to hosting some pretty incredible athletes.

Now there is a big welcome for a competitor who showed surprising skills during the last Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

British diver Tom Daley, who won gold and bronze medals in Tokyo, has arrived in Calgary, accompanying his partner, who is working on a television production in the city.

Members of Dive Calgary, who were training in the Repsol Sport Center pool on Tuesday, were excited about Daley’s arrival.

“It’s crazy to think he picked Calgary out of all places,” said diver Kaia Abbadi-Macintosh. “It’s really cool.”

Dive Calgary divers are hoping to meet Daley. Their trainer has a connection that could help make that happen.

“I have known (Daley’s) coach Jane Figueiredo for over 20 years,” said coach Abel Sanchez. “So I asked Tom to come talk to the kids.”

Daley has often been seen knitting while sitting in the stands competing in the Olympics.

“He’s an amazing knitter,” said Annie Ritter. She followed her Tokyo efforts online while working at The Loop, a Calgary yarn store.

Ritter is hopeful that Daley’s high-profile knitting could get more people to jump into the business.

“It’s really exciting,” Ritter said. “New people may think, ‘I want to do this too. I can’t win a gold medal, but I can knit a sweater for my dog.

At the Repsol Sport Center, divers cross their fingers that Daley comes by for a visit.

“It’s really inspiring to see someone who did it and who did it,” said diver Ernest Braitenbach.

“It really helps me think that maybe I could do it, maybe I can do it.”

Sanchez said a visit from the British Olympian would be a moment to remember for his young divers.

“Just for him to come, that would be great. “