TOM DALEY thanked the people of Plymouth for supporting him

after making his Olympic debut in Beijing yesterday.

The 14-year-old Eggbuckland Community College pupil, who

became Great Britain's second youngest male Olympian, was

disappointed with his display in the 10m synchronised platform

final, where he competed with Blake Aldridge.

The pair eventually finished last of the eight finalists.

Yet Tom still found time to express his gratitude to everyone

back in Devon.

"I know everyone was back at home watching and everyone

there has been so supportive," he said.

"Everyone has been emailing me and contacting me on Facebook

and that has been great. I do appreciate the support."

Tom is now looking forward to spending some time with his

family in the next couple of days before turning his attention

to the individual event, which starts on Friday week.

The youngster's mum, dad, two younger brothers and both sets

of grandparents arrived over the weekend and were in Beijing's

Aquatic Centre yesterday morning to see Tom in action.

"I can't wait to see them all," said Tom. "I have not seen

them for a couple of weeks.

"I did see them in the crowd waving, which was nice, but not

close up."

Tom also took time out in his meetings with the world's

press to mention his good friend Brooke Graddon, who narrowly

missed out on qualifying for the Olympics.

One journalist asked him about the significance of a

key-ring teddy bear on his Great Britain rucksack. And Tom

proudly said: "It was from Brooke Graddon. She's a team-mate of

mine who came to Beijing for the World Cup, but unfortunately

did not make it to the Olympics. She is back home, but she gave

me that so that I would think of her and for it to be a way of

her being with me."

HERALD EXCLUSIVE: Don't miss today's edition of The Herald

in which Great Britain diving coach Andy Banks talks

exclusively about the 'bust up' between Tom Daley and diving

partner Blake Aldridge, and on their diving performance

yesterday.