Tom Daley returns to Olympic competition today and at least he does not have to worry about being disparaged by a team-mate. The teenager takes part in the preliminaries of the individual ten-metre platform knowing that things can only improve after last place in the (un)synchronised event and his dispute with Blake Aldridge.

Daley and Aldridge have since been separated as room-mates in the athletes' village, although not because of their fallout last week, when Aldridge accused his 14-year-old partner of being anxious and letting the side down. Competitors who have finished their events have been moved to rooms where they are free to party, Aldridge among them.

For Daley, the past week has been spent training and hanging out with his family. He claims to be ready to step up his performance after his unsuccessful debut at the Water Cube. Aldridge appeared as overwrought as Daley last week, even phoning his mother mid-competition, but the young Briton admitted to suffering from tension.

“I was very nervous going into the competition, excited and a bit anxious about what was going to happen,” Daley said. “I have got a few cobwebs out of the way now and I'm not as nervous. Now I know what the Olympic Games is going to feel like I can compete like a normal competition.”

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It would rank as a fine achievement if Daley makes it to tomorrow's final. Although European champion, he had never been expected to feature among the medals in Beijing. The aim was to give him experience for London 2012 and the hope must be that they are not all bad experiences.