THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!

On Saturday I won the Kellogg's ASA 2012 Swimtastic Young Swimmer of the Year Award - I spent the weekend up in Sheffield at a special award event and got to meet lots of my swimming heroes.

Me with the lovely Hannah Miley who presented my trophy

It was a long drive to Sheffield and we had to leave really early in the morning - but it was worth it. On Saturday afternoon I had a 'Swim with the Stars' session and I got to play water polo, do swimming races and have fun with Olympic and Paralympic Athletes. Daddy even had to to some synchronised swimming - he wasn't very good! Mummy has it on video!

After the swim I got my picture taken with lot of the athletes - here's me with Ellie Simmonds - she let Finlay and I wear her Olympic Gold Medals.

I also met the paralympic world record holder and gold medallist Josef Craig (he let me wear his medal too) he told me all about what it was like to race at the Olympics and how he prepared for his record breaking swim. He's 15 - the same age that I will be when the 2020 Olympics are on. He was really nice.

After the swimming we got to meet all the athletes -  there were lots there from swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo -like Kerri Anne Payne, David Carry, Nick Robinson Baker, Jazz Carlin and James Goddard to name a few. I've got a full autograph book now! They were all so friendly and told me lots of things about what it's like to be an athlete.

Then it was time to get changed for the awards dinner. I had a new shirt, tie and waistcoat to wear. When we arrived everyone looked really smart and I even got to hold a real Olympic Torch which one of the other finalists had brought along.

Then we were called into the ceremony - the whole room was dark with twinkling lights on the walls and ceiling. I had my name on table number 2 and there were lots of goodies on the table too - badges and a cuddly elephant called Trunks. We had the Olympic diver Monique Gladding on our table and her coach - they were both really nice and told us lots of stories about the Olympics and what it's like to be a diver. I was really nervous when the awards were being announced as the other finalists had done really well too. I couldn't believe it when Steve Parry called out my name. There was a spot light on me all the way as I walked up to the massive stage - it was a long way. Hannah Miley presented me with my award - it was amazing!

After getting the award I had to go and do lots of TV and radio interviews and have my picture taken. I stayed up until 11 o clock. My interviews were on the BBC and ITV news on Sunday and Monday - lots of people saw it. My Headmistress and Teacher were so surprised that they told me they were screaming at the TV when I came on. Lots people also heard me and mummy on BBC Radio Somerset yesterday - if you missed it you can listen again on line - here's the link (it's about 24 minutes in) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zd0tz\

There's lots more things going on this week and I will let you know how I get on. I hope to get a recording of the TV interviews - if I do I will let you know.

What a great week. Love Oliver