Sky Preps Documentary on Olympian Daley Thompson

Sky Documentaries has lined up the documentary Daley (w.t.), about British double Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson, for a July premiere.

The film chronicles Thompson’s life and sporting achievements, revealing the struggles he faced on his road to success. Family, friends and other athletes, including Caitlyn Jenner, Dame Denise Lewis, Lord Sebastian Coe, Linford Christie and rival-turned-close-friend Jürgen Hingsen, offer their personal perspectives into Thompson as well.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Daley’s second gold medal at Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, a Games of global political boycotts and commercial profit.

Daley will debut on Sky Documentaries and NOW in July, just in time for the 2024 Olympics. It is produced by The Mob Film Company and directed by Vadim Jean. Producers are Charlie Skinner, Stewart Binns and Ian Sharples. Abacus Media Rights is handling the distribution rights.

“It took me a long time to realize I was an introvert living an extroverted life, and I’ve been fortunate to keep most of that life to myself,” Thompson said. “Nearing pensionerhood, I’d like to share some of the good and a few disappointments, with my kids who don’t believe any of my adventures but mainly with people who are looking and hoping to be inspired. My message is simple: Your altitude is dictated by your attitude. BELIEVE IN YOU.”

“With the Olympics around the corner, we are thrilled to be working with The Mob Film Company and Abacus Media Rights to tell Daley’s story, a true sporting legend and one of the best decathletes of our time,” said Jack Oliver, head of co-productions at Sky. “With unprecedented access, exclusive archival footage and a host of brilliant contributors, we hope to give viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the complex journey of one man, who became Britain’s greatest all-around athlete.”

Vadim Jean, director at The Mob Film Company, added, “As a teenager at the time in the 1980s, Daley was my sporting hero. I never imagined that 40 years later, I’d have the privilege of making a film that I hope does justice to his legacy as the ultimate Olympic superstar. It’s an honor to be able to bring together my love of film and sport to tell Daley’s incredible, inspirational story for the screen and reveal what it would take to be greatest all-around athlete the world has ever seen.”