July 30, 2012
Leaving for Olympic Park yesterday morning it all seems just a little surreal.
Now we celebrate with David and Nick (and coaches Adam and Drew) on their incredible efforts taking home the Bronze Olympic medal in Mens 10 Meter Sychro.
Of course deep down inside we knew that our day wasn’t quite so simple.
Our day started early in our “Let” as everyone was up early preparing for the 1500hr start time of the guys event. There was a bit of anxiety in the air as we went about preparing – of course everyone was so aware of magnitude of the today’s event.
Leaving Parsons Green on the “district line” through 11 stops to Westminster, where we dropped down to the “Jubilee Line” which would take us to our final destination at Stratford station – in all about a 50-minute ride but quite comfortable. The city of London and their transit system is incredible!
Upon our arrival we met up at the Westfield Mall with Brand family who is now collectively the other half of our supporting crew. We journeyed through gates into security and on to the pool, which is an incredible venue.
Walking into the Olympic Venue is all that many of you have already seen and it truly a remarkable structure. We caught a glimpse of our guys warming up, but of course with all the people in the building we were barely recognizable except for our American Flag and #JourneyRedefined T-shirts which depict David’s mindset for the London 2012 Olympic games.
The event was incredible to watch. The British crowd cheered madly for thier hometown boys! Because of the magnitude of this event any miss is a dagger and that left the door wide open for Team USA. The Mexico Team had DD (degree of difficulty) like crazy! Their efforts, although a bit risky, “paid off” for them and they collected the silver medal behind the ever so consistent Chinese.
The awards ceremony was special seeing our great flag hoisted in the air celebrating a tremendous performance. It was an absolute whirlwind afterwards as Sheilagh, Sonnie and I retreated across the huge expanse of the Olympic Park to the press area meet up with David and Nick. The rest of our families went to the P&G house to await our arrival. It was great seeing both David and Nick (and Nicks family) afterwards – these two guys are truly a class act!
We had a chance to unwind with David afterwards before rejoining our family at the P&G House and I could see the tremendous relief in his face and sheer exhaustion consume his body. We plan on joining the families and David together tonight at the USA House, which is in Kensington Park. This will be a fun celebration and reunion.
It’s been more than a single emotional day… the struggles of the last four years, complete with life’s ups and downs are quickly overshadowed by that massive medal and the firm belief that this is all part of Gods plan.
The Olympic journey continues … God bless you all!
July 29
It has been a challenging last couple of weeks as the family prepares for its journey to London to support David in the 2012 Olympic Games. It seems no matter how much you prepare for such a journey the time to leave arrives before we know it.
There have been so many changes and so much growth with this family since the journey began four years ago. As most of you already know the journey begins when the last day of the previous Olympic Games sends that illustrious flame to the home of the next Olympic Games. These incredible athletes begin a regiment of incredible commitment.
I hope to document our journey of this family following David as we fulfill our supporting role. I believe it is important to tell everyone that David has not only given his heart to God, he has chosen to share his life with Sonnie Brand who he will wed in October. This means that the family has grown by a factor of “Brand.”
Both Sheilagh and I feel so blessed that Jeff and Karalee Brand (Sonnie’s parents) will be joining us in London supporting David, and of course Sonnie who will be helping David’s coach’s wife and 2004 Olympian Kimiko Soldati with her children.
With the games firmly underway here in London we have been able to adjust to our surroundings and understand how to navigate through the intricate rail system known as the “Tube.” Shaila, Shauni and Margaret (Sheilagh’s mom) all arrived after a safe trip across the ocean last evening. They seem to be adjusting well after a good night’s rest. In fact the girls have already left this morning to meet up with Sonnie and Kimiko for morning service.
David and the girls have created a “family” T-shirt with the slogan Journey Redefined (twitter #journeyredefined) and I am reminded at every turn during this London Olympics it’s all about the journey – which is exactly the same mindset David is taking during this Olympics.
The women’s synchronized diving begins today at 15:00 local time – we want to wish them the very best. The David and Nick compete tomorrow at 15:00 for the 10meter synchronized platform. There is a 5 hour time difference between local time and EST.
More to write tomorrow after David and Nick compete.
For now take care and God bless
~ Jim Boudia
Jim Boudia is David Boudia’s father. He will be sharing his thoughts and experiences at the London Olympics as his family supports Noblesville’s beloved diver and Olympian.
