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Daley 'can't wait for Games to begin'

08/08/2008

Team GB diving sensation Tom Daley says he is itching to take to the springboard and begin his first-ever Olympics.

The 14-year-old, the youngest British athlete in Beijing, is the youngest-ever European diving champion.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the Games' opening ceremony at 20:08 local time (13:08 BST), Daley said his Olympics experience had been "phenomenal" so far.

"In the diving team we're all really excited. Everyone in the whole team has worked their whole life for this and now that moment is getting closer and closer," he said.

Daley's bid for a medal begins on Monday in the synchronised 10m platform, but he has continually played down his chances of success.

"For me it's a matter of training hard, sticking to my training plans and hopefully my dreams can come true that way," the teenager said.

"It's always been my dream to win an Olympic medal, but I am not expecting to win one here.

"I didn't expect to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, I was really looking towards London 2012. So it's a real bonus for me and what I want to do is gain experience, have some fun and see what the Olympic Games is all about."