Daley dismisses schedule fears

British Diving performance director Alexei Evangulov warned the teenager that he must reduce his activities outside the pool or face missing out on a medal.

Daley returned fire in a statement released on his behalf, though, saying: "Diving, family and school have always been the priority for Tom. This is 90% of his life. Corporate, media work and friends form the remaining 10%."

Former Russia coach Evangulov also claimed Daley's main rivals in China were "training three times harder" adding that his fifth placing at last year's World Championships was a true reflection of his standing in the 10metre platform.

Daley has claimed previously he would like to be a television presenter after his diving career and was this week named as an ambassador for Adidas.

He shot to fame when he became Britain's first individual diving world champion at the age of 15 in 2009.

While he could only manage fifth place in defending his title in Shanghai last July, the meet came just months after his father, Rob, died following a long battle with brain cancer.

"The comparisons with China may be relevant from a sporting perspective, but are less valid from a cultural and human one," the statement added.

"We turn down over 95% of media and commercial approaches for Tom.

"We only work with a small team of sponsors and ensure that any media is either necessary or - very occasionally - fun, given Tom's interest and studies in both photography and media."