Chris Colwill has made the U.S. Olympic diving team, but he hasn’t forgotten where he got his start. That’s one of the main reasons he made a special trip home from Athens, Ga., this weekend—to thank the folks who have helped propel him to the Beijing Games.

The 23-year-old Colwill, a product of Tampa Prep and the University of Georgia, returned to his home club, the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Club on Saturday. He was there to perform a diving exhibition for 200-plus well wishers Saturday and before it was all over, he probably took time to thank each of them. Considering Colwill broke three bones in his foot almost one year ago doing a similar diving exhibition in Atlanta, you would’ve forgiven him if he opted just to turn up at the BSAC and just sign autographs.

Instead, he got up on the 3-meter board and did several dives for the crowd as his former Jetstream Diving coach, Joe Greenwell, narrated the event over the public address system.

This is what’s great about most Olympic sports—the grassroots feel to them. Colwill’s horizons and possibilities have expanded by making the Olympic team, but his head hasn’t. As he prepared for each dive, a group of young boys from the Jetstream squad—kids just like him some 15 years ago—asked him questions and rated his dives. And when he finished diving, Colwill signed everything and anything handed to him until the last person in line had his autograph. He also did a question and answer session with several of the kids from the club.

After he was done at the BSAC, Colwill headed home with his parents, Chuck and Debbie Colwill, along with his girlfriend, former Tampa Prep swimming star Chelsea Nauta, now at UGA and herself just a step away from making an Olympic team. Once there, several more friends and family members turned up to greet him. Outside on the lawn of the Colwill home were small American flags, posters congratulating him and an USA Olympic banner on the door. Inside were red, white and blue cakes, food and refreshments—along with hugs and high-fives everywhere he turned.

Let’s see a pro athlete from another sport do what Chris Colwill did Saturday. Colwill could’ve stayed at his training base in Athens. But he came home for the love of the sport, and the love of the people who helped put him on top of it.

Tribune/TBO.com photos by Mike Young