Noblesville welcomed its “Golden Boy” home with a community celebration and ice cream social. Inside the Noblesville High School gymnasium, the largest production in the school’s history took place as large video screens rotated photos of Boudia until the lights were turned off and the two-time Olympic medalist walked out to a standing ovation.
“Seeing this many people turn out and share this moment is absolutely incredible,” said the 10-meter individual platform diving gold medalist.
London wasn’t the only place Boudia picked up impressive awards this summer. During the ceremony, Boudia was presented a proclamation declaring Aug. 26, 2012 as David Boudia Day by Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear. Doug Church, president of the Friends of the Forest Park Aquatic Center, announced the diving complex, where Boudia began his diving career, will be renamed in his honor. On behalf of Gov. Mitch Daniels, State Rep. Kathy Richardson of Noblesville presented Boudia with the state’s highest honor – the Sagamore of the Wabash award.
Following the awards, Boudia sat joined emcee and WTHR-13 news anchor Anne Marie Marie Tiernon to first view a video montage of his Olympic experiences, interviews and return to the states. Boudia explained that in the finals round he was in the zone and had “blinders on” when competing for the gold.
“I put six dives together as best I could,” he said.
Boudia also confirmed that he is looking to possibly make a splash in two sports at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games.
“I’m thinking about possibly doing some gymnastics. I don’t know, we’ll see,” he said.
While that decision is still years down the road, for now, Boudia has his hands full with schoolwork at Purdue and planning for his October wedding to Sonnie Brand.
