Tom Daley has paid tribute to his "incredibly brave" father, who died on Friday night after a long battle with brain cancer. "He died 14 months exactly to the start of the 2012 Olympics," said the 17-year-old diver. "I hope he will be watching and waving his big Union Jack in London from somewhere else. I love you so much Dad."

The father of the teenage British diving champion Tom Daley has died at the age of 40 after a long battle with brain cancer. Robert Daley, who accompanied the world champion to tournaments, died on Friday night with his family at his side.

Teenage British diving champion Tom Daley's father Robert has died following a long battle with brain cancer at the age of 40.

Tom Daley achieved his highest score at an international event to claim silver in the men's 10m platform at the final World Series meeting of the season in Mexico yesterday.

Tom Daley and Peter Waterfield agreed their best chance of an Olympic medal is in the 10m synchro following their breakthrough success at the FINA World Series event in Sheffield.

Two million people have signed up for tickets for the London 2012 Olympics, chief executive Paul Deighton said today.

Lee Westwood, the world No 1 golfer, may have been turned away from the door of an exclusive London nightclub earlier this week but he will at least head to tomorrow's BBC Sports Personality of the Year show pleased that his sport is finally getting some of the recognition it deserves.

Graeme McDowell can cap his memorable year by being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year after he earned a place on the shortlist for the award announced yesterday. The Northern Irishman joins fellow Ryder Cup winner Lee Westwood in the running for the competition.

As many as a quarter of British adults hope to attend one or more live events at the 2012 London Olympics, a poll showed today.