USA Oympic Diving Trials-Federal Way, Washington
After four days of watching diving, we were a bit weary. I can’t imagine how the athletes and their families must feel. It’s a long and tough process, with four more days for the divers.
In order to get to track, we were unable to stay for the finals of all the events. While watching the finals and seeing the team named is always exciting, we got to see the entire field of divers, not just the final 12. Which means we saw the current Olympians to be as well as the up-and-comers for 2016. Like Steele Johnson. Steele just turned 16 the day before the competition began. A 2016 hopeful, he was here mostly for the experience, but managed to stay competitive throughout the competition.
His family, decked out in their “Steele Johnson 2012” T-shirts, was there in force. Grandma Judy was the official videographer. Mom Jill was gracious enough to talk with me about what it takes to travel the Olympic path.
She said it costs a diver about 20-30 thousand dollars a year, depending on their travel schedule. Members of the National team have main expenses paid for USA sponsored trips, but the $10.00 per diem doesn’t go far. All other meets are the responsibility of the athlete. For the Olympic Trials, all athletes paid their own way and an entry fee of $30.00 per event they competed in. Family members had to buy tickets for each session ($20-30 dollars apiece), with most not being able to afford “the good seats.” Jill pointed across the arena, “If you’ll notice even the Dumais family (with 3 top divers) is sitting in the “cheap seats.” Add to all that the cost of travel, hotel, meals, coach expenses and this meet alone was in the thousands of dollars.
Since there’s no competitive professional diving opportunities, a divers financial reward is getting a college scholarship. But in order to compete in college, a diver must remain an amateur and may not accept sponsorship money. Not at all like our multi-million dollar basketball players.
“We can’t travel to many meets. Sending your 15 year old on a plane to Columbia is a bit nerve wracking,” she sighed. “We find a way to make it work. But it definitely isn’t easy.
Supporting a potential Olympic athlete becomes a full family commitment. Jill said one of the harder things as a parent is trying to keep a family balance, making sure the other kids in the family get quality time and attention. She mentioned another diver who has 5 brothers and sisters who all play sports at a high level. “I have no idea how they do it! But as a family we’ve decided as long as he’s having fun, our whole family will continue to do whatever it takes to help him reach his dream.”
And that sentiment was echoed throughout the stands as friends and families showed their support. Many had specially designed t-shirts with their divers name or picture on it. Others had huge signs with clever sayings. Some were loud and boisterous, others less demonstrative. But the support was obviously there.
We talked to several sets of parents and almost all said that just sitting and watching was one of the harder things to do. But there was no doubt they were all committed to the process and proud of their athletes.
So the road is long and hard and very expensive. And as the saying goes, it most definitely takes a village. So when you see that diver standing all alone atop the 10M tower, look a little closer. I’m pretty sure you’ll see mom & dad, grandma & grandpa, sister and brother and quite a few others standing right along side him.
In Celebration of Sport!