Twitter users rally around Tom Daley after abusive messages
British diver Tom Daley was the subject of abuse about his dead father after finishing fourth
A single imperfect dive resulted in Tom Daley and Pete Waterfield dropping from first to fourth in the synchronised 10m diving this afternoon, but despite this fantastic effort, the 18-year-old was met with horrific abuse on Twitter.
A user caused infuriation around the world on the social website after sending Daley an abusive tweet, which claimed Tom had let down his late father.
Daley retweeted this, saying "After giving it my all... you get idiots sending me this..."
However, this wasn't the only thing @Rileyy_69 had to say. A series of obscene attacking tweets sent the diver's way have prompted fans of the diver on Twitter to jump to his defence, and #GetRileyy_69Banned began trending number one in the UK.
It wasn't just one abusive tweet directed at 18-year-old Daley:
The user in question, who's been labeled on Twitter as "pathetic" and "dirty scum", then made a u-turn, making several apologies to Daley after seeing the outrage he's caused.
Celebrities also joined the campaign against @Rileyy_69:
Obviously @Rileyy_69 has never lost somebody close to him, when he does maybe he will realise what pure evil he has spouted, shame on you, you pathetic moron............
Well done Tom, lost my Dad too recently, worse thing ever mate, you have made Plymouth Team GB and your family proud, keep up the good work, your medal is just around the corner.
Tom,
Your family are proud of you,
Plymouth is proud of you
And your country is proud of you.
More importantly for you - Your dad would be so proud.
Ignore those who troll and snipe
They; are wastrels and losers and I hope their hurtful comments come back and haunt them tenfold
Well done Tom
I suggest that @rileyy_69 be tracked down, taken to the highest diving platform, and made to 'walk the plank' in front of full TV coverage. Lets see how well this prat performs ! This is my first ever MSN comment but I am incensed by this story. Another classic case of Twitter being abused by mindless fools who do not deserve the public forum. They should be exposed to the rest of society as the morons that they are and we should know the faces behind their cowardly Twitter names.
Tom.... My wife and I sat and watched you doing your very best today....things don't always go to plan but we know you put your heart and soul into your dives. Well done ! We shall be watching all of your jumps and wishing you well at every one.
