Feb 13
Watch: Olympics-Bound Tom Daley Gets Hero's Welcome Home From Young Son
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A clip posted by British diver Tom Daley's husband Dustin Lance Black melted hearts across the internet, showing the gold medalist being welcomed home by his young son after qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
Daley, Hello! noted, "secured a place for Team GB in the Paris Olympics after winning Silver at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha this week."
In photos and videos posted to Instagram by Black, their son Robbie can be seen clutching a hand-painted sign and watching for Daley. As the athlete comes into view in one video, Robbie jumps up and down in place with excitement. In the next video, Robbie surrenders the sign and races over to Daley, who turns away from a luggage cart piled with bags in order to scoop the child up into a joyous embrace.
A still photo shows father and son moments later, with Robbie standing on the floor again while Daley hugs him.
"Welcome home, Papa @TomDaley!!" Black captioned the post. "We missed you so so so much this past month, but we are so proud of you earning another two world championship medals and a fresh spot at a brand new Olympic Games."
Fans flocked to the post to offer their own comments.
"This made me cry," one person posted. "Kids know what love is."
"Okay. Omg. Stop," another exclaimed. "My mascara...."
A third simply posted, "Melt ya heart ❤️❤️❤️"
The diving champ had retired following his gold medal win at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. But, as previously reported, Daley came out of retirement and started training for this summer's Olympics in Paris after Robbie told him, "Papa, I want to see you dive at the Olympics."
Now, with his place secured in the upcoming summer games, Daley will be able to grant his son's wish.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.