For Tom Daley and many of England’s athletes, the New Year celebrations carried extra significance as they kick-started what will be an Olympic year in 2016.

And while a mixture of nerves and excitement is already building for triple Commonwealth champion and Olympic bronze medallist Daley, he insists he can’t wait to get stuck in.

The 21-year-old is building towards what would represent his third Olympic Games appearance in Rio, following his selection for Beijing 2008 and then London 2012.

It was at the latter where he climbed the medal rostrum after finishing third in the men’s 10m platform.

An Olympic gold medal however is the only title missing from his collection following World, European and Commonwealth success over the years.

The most recent of which came at the 2015 World Championships where he took mixed team gold alongside Rebecca Gallantree and also 10m platform bronze to add to his 2009 gold medal.

And Daley admits his thoughts are never far away from next summer and the Rio Games.

“I’m 21 and this is my 22nd year on the planet. That is kind of surreal, but also it’s a very important year for me considering it is the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil,” said Daley, speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

“That kind of scares me a little bit, because not only will it be my third Olympics but it is, in theory, my peak Olympics.

“I am excited, scared, anxious, worried, but then also really excited again. All these emotions go through my head because it’s one of the biggest moments of my life.

“When it gets to the Olympic Games, you get one shot every four years. We have six dives, and we get a chance to do one of each of those dives, and if you mess one up, you’re out. That’s it, you’re done and you have to wait another four years.

“So the pressure that you feel, and the expectation on your shoulders from the people wanting you to win medals and expecting you to win easily, it’s tough to have that all in your head.

“But, to be honest, it’s the thing that I love the most about it. The pressure, the excitement, the exhilaration, the fact that you only get one shot.

“It’s whoever is best on that one day, in that one city, in that one pool. Whoever is the best will come away with an Olympic gold medal, and at the end of the day that’s my ultimate dream.

“It’s a lot to think about, but what’s worth going for in this life that doesn’t seem impossible?”

Sportsbeat 2016