Tom Daley says his job is to ban countries that execute LGBTQ people from the Olympics / LGBTQ Nation

Tom Daley at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic London Parade
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Olympic diver Tom Daley made a strong statement of his hopes for the next Summer Olympics by accepting Attitude Sport Award at the 2021 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards Gala.

I want to do my job next, hopefully before the Paris Olympics in 2024, to make it so that the countries [where its] Daley told the audience at the ceremony that LGBT people will not be allowed to compete in the Olympics.

Related: Judith Butler calls transphobia one of the dominant strains of fascism of our time

I do not think that a sporting event should be allowed to be hosted in a country that criminalizes fundamental human rights. So, it’s my job now to change it, Daley continued to declare.

He expressed appreciation for his ability to be himself and still represent his homeland. It’s great to talk about these things, but I think it’s really important to try to make changes instead of just emphasizing and shining things, he said.

Although Daley did not mention certain countries or Olympics that he thought should be excluded, he added: For the 10 countries where you can’t be yourself, they shouldn’t make it to the Olympics [and] It should definitely not be allowed to host the Olympics.

By the Washington Post, Ten such countries are Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Trust in human dignity records 61 other countries that also criminalize homosexuality or same-sex relationships in a certain way, including Egypt, Guyana, Indonesia, Pakistan and others.

Daley specifically invited Qatar, who will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The World Cup in Qatar has extreme rules against LGBT people and women, he said, and I don’t think a sporting event should be allowed in a country that criminalizes basic human rights. So it is my job now to change it.

Receiving the award, Daley also thanked his diving partner Matty Lee, whom he thanks for realizing his childhood dreams by competing with him.

Daley, 27, has represented the UK at the 2008 Olympics since he was 14. He already has six world championships, three of which are gold; eight European championship medals, including five gold; and four gold medals and one silver at the Commonwealth Games.

At the Summer Olympics, Daley bought a home his first Olympic gold and another bronze medal add to previous earnings in 2008 and 2012.

In the Tokyo Games, Daley fired back at homophobic attacks against him in the media around the world, namely in the Russian state media.

History shows that all society is [and] has been said of the experience of a straight white man. If we could get together and use different perspectives, the world would be a better place, he said. There are a lot of people around the world who grow up in worse situations. I just hope seeing athletes helps people feel less alone than they are valued, than they can achieve something.

He is married to Oscar-winning filmmaker and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, and they have a son, Robbie.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is yet to respond to Daleys ’comments or efforts to ban countries that criminalize homosexuality. Daleys ’comments on the Attitude Awards can be viewed below.