London 2012 Olympics: Alexei Evangulov believes that Team GB diver Tom Daley ... - Telegraph.co.uk

But he refuses to take any credit for Daley's recent improvement and says the media coverage of his remarks was overblown.

"Frankly speaking, I didn't like the media reaction," he said. "That is why I don't want to talk about it any more. We are in an absolutely new situation now and we have to forget about that.

"All the divers were very irritated by the media reaction and we were not thankful it. What I said was just normal stuff. You can say that it is my role to criticise. I am very demanding and people appreciate it because that's why I am here. British Swimming invited me to be very strong and to be very demanding."

Daley, who the European title as a 14 year-old in the same Eindhoven pool, will be competing in only the individual platform event in Holland and not the synchro because Waterfield has a neck problem and has been withdrawn from as a precaution.

The Plymouth diver will hoping for a repeat of his World Series triumph in Tijuana, Mexico, three weeks ago where his best ever points total of 562.85 included a massive score of 105 for his most difficult dive – the front 4½ somersaults.

Significantly, though, reigning world champion Qiu Bo, of China, was absent from Mexico and remains the overwhelming favourite for Olympic gold in London.

"Qiu Bo is still the strongest diver, but Tom is now in the top three in the world and maybe the top two," said Evangulov. "So, in the last period of four months of very hard work, he has moved up. He is now in a medal position."

The Russian said Daley was 100 per cent committed to making the podium in London, and he insisted there were no hard feelings after his public criticisms in February.

"We don't think about it," said Evangulov. "We understand each other and we work very hard together and we have a very good relationship.

"I am grateful that Thomas is a very good guy. He didn't react badly. He said, 'Alexei, don't worry. Everything is OK. I understand you and you understand me'. This is true. We are working in a great synergy."