Councillors call for Tom Daley to be awarded Freedom of the Borough after gold medal win

Councillors are calling for Olympic diver Tom Daley to be awarded the highest civic award in honour of his sporting achievements.

Mr Daley won the gold medal for 10m platform diving at the Tokyo Olympics last week.

Now councillors for Borough and Bankside are hoping he will be awarded Freedom of the Borough in recognition of his gold medal win.

Cllr David Noakes said: “We’re so delighted to have an Olympic Champion living in Borough and Bankside. 

“Tom has worked so hard for so many years, he thoroughly deserves the Olympic Gold Medal. 

“We should now officially acknowledge his huge achievement with the Freedom of the Borough of Southwark. 

“This would ensure Tom’s achievements are properly recognised and it will help to inspire generations to come.”

Mr Daley has been living in the area since 2014 and has been a strong supporter of the community.

He recently opened Marlborough Sports Ground and sent a message of support for the Bankside Great Get Together from Tokyo.

Cllr Adele Morris added: “I really hope Southwark Council will reciprocate the love and give Tom the recognition he deserves.”

LGBTQ+ councillor Victor Chamberlain added: “Tom is a true inspiration to millions. His achievements in diving are super admirable, but so too is the way he promotes equality and diversity.  

“As one of the UK’s first openly gay Olympic Champions he is showing that any LGBTQ+ person can achieve anything. We’re so proud to call him our neighbour.”

Mr Daley represented Great Britain at the 2008 Olympics in Rio, aged just 14.

He went on to win a bronze medal in both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games.

Pictured top: (inset) Tom Daley (left) with Victor Chamberlain (right)