'Olympic Dream' For Wantagh Native As Athletes Descend On Tokyo

WANTAGH, NY — Athletes are ready to enter the stadium for the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremonies Friday after a one-year delay. No spectators will watch the action live due to the COVID-19 emergency in Japan.

However, Andrew Capobianco, who grew up in Wantagh, isn't letting the pandemic sour his first time on the world stage.

"It is definitely disappointing that there won’t be a crowd because it’s fun to perform for the audience and hear cheering, but I think the experience will still be amazing, knowing all the people cheering from back home," Capobianco said.

He is also encouraged that teammates will likely be permitted to watch in person, "so hopefully there will be a few people in the crowd to cheer."

Capobianco, 21, has kept strong ties to Wantagh with family and friends since leaving when he was 13. He's planning to visit later this summer, but now as an Olympian... and possibly as a medalist.

An acclaimed diver at Indiana University, that wasn't his initial path to greatness.

"I started in gymnastics when I was 9 years old on Long Island," Capobianco said. "I always had that Olympic dream in the back of my mind. But I never thought it would be in diving."

He started splashing in the pool when he was 11 and two years later his sole focus to medal moved to the platform as Capobianco would train at Long Island Divers in Eisenhower Park. Consulting with his family, he decided to go for the gold in diving and a scholarship.

"Diving was definitely a growing sport and one where there was a lot of presence in the NCAA," he said. "Also, I saw where I was progressing with diving. It was definitely clear that I had more of a future in the pool than gymnastics."

Recalling his childhood in Wantagh, Capobianco said it was "super fun" and "I definitely miss being a block away from the beach."

His Long Island friends were supportive about thinking big, even though his training would often keep him from hanging out.

"I just really loved the people who I was surrounded by when I was growing up," he said.

Once Capobianco watched the 2012 Games at age 12, his Olympic dreams were solidified. Thereafter, he would participate in camps run by the 2012 U.S. diving coach and moved to North Carolina to "pursue the dream." Capobianco was well on his way, winning national championships on all three diving boards in the junior competition at age 14.

"That was the moment [when] I realized I was one of the best in the country," he said.

Before leaving his hometown, Capobianco broke a 22-year-old Nassau County high school diving record when he was in the 7th grade.

Watching the Games nine years ago, Capobianco would take notice of David Boudia, who would become a three-time Olympian, and four-time medalist, including a gold medal that year, but just missed joining Capobianco in Tokyo.

"He was definitely an idol of mine, which is pretty crazy because now I compete side by side with him," Capobianco said.

Casual fans will recall diving legend Greg Louganis, who has been a role model for his protege from this generation.

"He came to my diving club in North Carolina so I was able to get some advice from him on competing and how to stay calm," Capobianco said.

Capobianco was part of the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2016. Although he didn't qualify for the Games in Rio, it was a learning experience he wouldn't trade in.

"Seeing all the divers who I had idolized make their dreams come true--that was just eye-opening for me and definitely got me excited for the next four years," Capobianco said.

He'll compete in the 3-meter synchronized event on July 28 and preliminaries in the 3-meter individual springboard on August 3.

"I want to represent Team USA to the best of my ability and I think that the best of my ability will definitely have a shot at winning a medal," Capobianco said. "I just have to try to focus on what it takes to attain that medal, just the process going there. I don't really want to focus on the outcome of hopefully winning that medal."