As promised ...

Our 11 hour day fulfilling Riley's HBC sponsorship requirement. They loved him. He endured it. It was kind of fun to see his poster in the store and they called him "their Olympian". They sold out of all the hotdogs!!

Olympic Diving Trials Poster

Mom Stuff

Riley is now home for potentially 12 weeks depending on how things go at Olympic Trials in June here in Victoria. If he is successful, his next travel will be to Beijing at the end of July to prepare for his event to be held August 22nd. If not, he will have to head to Thunder Bay early July for the Junior Nationals in order to qualify for the World Junior Championships to be held in Germany mid September. Of course all fingers are crossed for a free ride to Germany (as part of the exemption offered to Olympic athletes) and a longer stay at home to rest and train.

I mention all this as its been quite some time he's had this long a stint and home and it has given me a chance to get back into Mom gear. For example, this week I met with his school to get all the assignments he is missing in order to compete Grade 11. I also attempted a study weekend with Riley to help him complete his Biology which he started last September. Wow! Its been a long time since Grade 11 Biology. After one session we agreed he would go back to his school teacher for help haha. I've been booking appointments like the dentist and today, we went to get his skills licences for his scooter! (thanks for your help Nigel!).

After the skills test (which he passed with flying colours!!!!), we went to UVic and he was tested for asthma. Any Olympic athlete who has exhibited any symptoms is undergoing significant testing due to the possible poor air quality in Beijing. If there are existing issues, they can ask for an exemption in advance that will allow them to take medication if required. If this testing and exemption request is not done in advance and an attack takes place, they can not be medicated.

Riley has always had some breathing challenges and asthma does run in the family. Thank goodness diving is not an aerobic sport! His tester identified some anomalies in his breathing but fortunately, he did not identify as an asthmatic. We will continue to explore what his issues are but we are secure in the knowledge that he will be fine (as fine as you can be in that air) in Beijing. And of course the pool is indoors which is good.

I've also helped with forms, phones, Aeroplan missing points and providing unsolicited advice on a myriad of other things. Its good to be a needed mom again. Even for a short time!

Saturday we are off to Surrey Zellers to take part in the HBC Service Day. Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday to Me :)

Yesterday was a good day. I had a delightful birthday filled with lots of good wishes, gifts and a fantastic dinner. Turning 48 wasn't bad at all! Topping it off was Riley's result in Fort Lauderdale. He had two great events finishing 9th overall and achieving a personal best of 436 points which gave him another point towards his Olympic goal. He will go into Trials in June with 2 points. Best part of the event was the realization he beat the 2004 Olympic Champion Hi Jia from China! Not bad for a 16 year old kid! Here is what he said about it ...

"This is the most pleased I've been with my diving in a long time," said McCormick, 16, a two-time world championship team member.

"This was one of the toughest meets I've been to since the world championships. Just to get into the semis was difficult and I had to do a very good performance. I didn't miss anything. I'm really excited about it."

Its not all hard work ...

Riley is in Fort Lauderdale now. His room is 7 steps from the beach. He counted. Now if he just behaves and lathers with sun screen all will be good. Competition is Friday! Maybe a good score for his Mom's birthday?

Another Step Closer

A successful Canada Cup for Riley! After a tough week leading up to the event and lots of worry about his injury, Riley put in a good performance and made the semi finals. What was especially satisfying was he was the top Canadian and also earned over 400 points which gave him a point towards his Olympic Trials. The semi finals did not go so well as he missed his first dive (yes the one he got 10's on last week!) and he never did recover form.

Riley and Reuben also competed in the synchro event. Their compulsory dives were great but Riley again had trouble with the inward and they ended up fourth. Nothing riding on the line with that event but still another chance to put in some good dives. Still a good result and the all important contest against his fellow Canadian divers. Off to Fort Lauderdale in search of another point before he comes home for final preparation.