'Great Experience' For Olympic Silver Medalist Andrew Capobianco

WANTAGH, NY — Andrew Capobianco may have left his South Shore hometown 8 years ago, but he returned as a conquering hero.

Capobianco won a silver medal at the recently held Tokyo Olympics, competing in the 3-meter synchronized diving event with teammate Michael Hixon.

"It was a great experience," Capobianco told Patch. "I didn't really try to go into it with too many expectations."

The athletic fortnight was altered amid the pandemic, with the Olympic Village turning into a bubble of sorts as the NBA did successfully last year.

"We weren't allowed to leave, so that's kind of the main difference from the previous Olympics," Capobianco said. "We had daily COVID tests and we had to wear masks the whole time."

Plus, no spectators could watch at the venues, although Capobianco was already familiar with that from his NCAA competing.

"It didn't really affect me too much because I usually like to block out the crowd anyway," he said.

Capobianco, 21, grew up in Wantagh and got his diving start in Eisenhower Park. His Olympic dream started at a young age and was realized last month when he stood on the medal podium after the first event.

"That was amazing to be able to get our country's flag lifted for something that me and my synchro partner did," he said. "That was an honor."

Another honor was bestowed on Capobianco, who was welcomed at the Hicksville Aquatic Center last week. Several local politicians, including Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, were on hand, presenting him with citations. He also gave advice to the next generation of divers from Nassau County.

"My Long Island family has definitely been the most supportive, I think, out of everywhere I am from," Capobianco said. "To see all the support that I still have in the community is pretty overwhelming and amazing. It was more than I had hoped for."

Capobianco is already focused on 2024 and the Summer Games in Paris. After some time to "rest my body and my mind," he'll begin the extensive training in just three weeks.