Olympics-Diving-Chinese divers can be defeated in men's events, says Britain's Daley

Diving - Diving International Open - Olympic Aquatics Centre, Saint-Denis, France - May 9, 2024 China's Yuan Cao in action during the men's 10m platform final /Johanna Geron/File Photo

PARIS - China's divers are aiming for a golden sweep in Paris with a star-studded team, but Britain's Tom Daley said it was possible to beat them in the men's events.

"The Chinese diving team is the strongest diving nation, unquestionably on paper," said the 30-year-old Daley at a World Aquatics press conference days ahead of his fifth Olympic Games.

"The women are absolutely incredible, and I can't imagine that they will let go of any medals. But in the men's diving, I think it is possible to try and make it so that they don't get an eight gold medal sweep," he said.

Daley, who won gold in the men's 10-metre synchronised platform competition in Tokyo, came out of retirement last year to defend his title with new partner Noah Williams. The pair are set to compete on July 29.

British pair Chris Mears and Jack Laugher took gold in the men's 3-metre springboard in Rio in 2016.

"It's always going to be tough, but diving is such an on-the-day sport and in the synchro events, they're straight finals," Daley said. "So on Monday, it comes down to six times and who can do the best six times."

"The world is very much on China's heels to be ready to challenge them," he said.