Olympic Champion Gets Hero's Welcome On Long Island

HICKSVILLE, NY — Olympic Silver Medalist Andrew Capobianco got a big, heroic welcome home on Monday when he stopped by the Hicksville Athletic Center to speak to kids.

The Long Island-native took home the silver medal in the 3-meter synchronized springboard competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo last month. The triumphant athlete was greeted by his family, his former coaches and a cheering crowd of kids with Olympic dreams of their own.

Capobianco stopped at the Hicksville Athletic Center and met with dozens of kids, who were all part of the county Police Athletic League's summer program.

"I used to go to camps all the time to try to make myself better," Capobianco told the kids.

He was presented citations by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, honoring him for his accomplishments. He was also given a special wooden American flag by the PAL to honor his Olympic achievement.

Capobianco was joined at the event by his parents, grandparents, brothers and girlfriend — his huge support system that he credited with his success.

"For me [to get here], it took a lot of hard work and some great people behind me," he said.