Noblesville ready to welcome home Olympic champion - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Gold medal-winning diver David Boudia says he surprised himself with his victory.

The Noblesville native appeared on The TODAY Show Monday morning, showing off his new medal. Earlier in the day, he sent out a tweet saying, "Wow... Still amazed that just happened!!! It could never have been done w/o all the support!!"

Much of that support came from his hometown of Noblesville. A sign in the town's square that used to say "Good Luck" now says "Congrats David." The gold medalist grew up in Noblesville and started diving at the local pool. Now, the town is excited to welcome back their hometown hero.

A dramatic final dive Saturday gave Boudia the gold medal.

"I had no idea I was in front of Tom (Daley), the British diver, and I was astonished. I can't explain what has happened over the last 24 hours," Boudia said on TODAY. "These two medals give me an opportunity to inspire young kids that it is possible."

Prominently displayed in the town square, everyone in Noblesville is well aware of what the Olympic diver accomplished across the pond.

"To win the gold medal. You can't ask for anything more. We are so excited for David and his family," said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear.

Ditslear says they're working with Boudia's family to plan a big welcome home party and he wants Hoosiers to be there.

"We want people to meet David and be excited for him," Ditslear said.

Kristen Huber and her family say they wouldn't miss it.

"It gives you so much pride in your hometown and in Noblesville," Huber said. "And I hear he is a nice guy, so I am glad he did well."

Boudia spent hours training at the Forest Park Aquatic Center in Noblesville, where they hope to name part of the facility after the Olympic champion.

"They are looking to name the diving well the David Boudia Training Center at Forest Park Aquatic Center, so his name will be forever attached to the facility," said Holly Carter, Forest Park Aquatic Center. "There have been a few Olympic athletes to train out here, but David Boudia is the first to bring home gold."