A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of posting malicious Twitter messages directed at British Olympic diver Tom Daley.
British Olympics team leaders say they intervened with Twitter to delete offensive messages sent to diver Tom Daley.
British Olympic Association spokesman Darryl Seibel says “highly offensive and altogether unacceptable tweets” were sent to Daley, after he missed a medal in the 10-meter synchronized platform competition on Monday with team-mate Pete Waterfield.
Seibel says the team “immediately” contacted Twitter’s management who removed the messages “very, very quickly.”
The first tweet told Daley that he let his dad down with his synchronized diving performance. Later, the tweeter threatened to drown Daley. Daley’s father died of brain cancer a year ago and the 18-year-old Olympian had hoped to win a medal “for myself and my dad.” But he finished fourth on Monday, out of medal contention, in the 10-meter synchronized platform competition.
BOA chief executive Andy Hunt says 18-year-old Daley “was not affected” by the tweets.
Daley is one of Britain’s highest profile athletes at the London Olympics.
