Indianapolis diver retires - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

We are just 32 days away from the Summer Olympics beginning on Channel 13.

Diver Thomas Finchum may be "throwing in the towel," but the Olympian and Indianapolis native is excited for his next chapter in life. 

The 22-year old "retired" from the sport this weekend after not qualifying for next month's Olympic summer games in London.

For more than a decade, Lutheran High School alum Thomas Finchum has represented Indiana well.

"When I was over there in Beijing, I was a part of Team USA, but it was crazy because I felt so much support from Indiana from everyone who had been supporting me since I was so young," says Finchum.

Even though the 22-year old knew on Saturday he would announce his retirement after his last dive, he says he gave it his all. 

Finchum become emotional when hugging his coach: "I didn't think I was going to get so emotional, but when he said that [It's been an honor coaching you] it really hit me that it was almost all over."   

The Beijing Olympian wasn't able to secure a spot on the US Olympic diving team heading to London this summer.

Finchum placed third in the trails held in Washington. And, with that bronze medal, the young man told his nearly 2200 twitter followers that he is retiring from the sport; "I have given so much of my life to this sport. And, I have new dreams that I want to pursue."

This now "former" Olympic diver has been strategic. He plans to attend Belmont University to major in music business, as he tries to make it big with his band "Northern Nights." "It is really something I love so much. And, I know it is a hard industry and people say it is really hard, but when anyone says that to me I say, it is not easy being an Olympian either. I'm used to having crazy big dreams," says Thomas Finchum.

Thomas Finchum had one last dive Sunday in the 3-meter final. He tells us, in the short term, he is looking forward to sleeping in his own bed and hanging out with his friends. 

Dave Calabro and Ann Marie Tiernon will host Channel 13's live coverage from London.