Rochester's Olympic family taking in sights of London after Peter Vanderkaay's bronze medal swim

Robin Vanderkaay, mom to Olympic swimmer Peter Vanderkaay who won a bronze in the 400m freestyle, shares pride athlete families feel at the Summer Games

Hello Everyone!

The 2012 Olympics and the City of London continues to amaze our group. Tuesday night we secured tickets to see the swimming events. Our group watched the USA win the gold medal in the 800 free relay along with many other events. We feel so much pride in our country when you see our athletes on the podium and hear the National Anthem!

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We did a tour of Buckingham Palace and all I could think of was AA Milnes book about Christopher Robin.....(dating myself). The guides here in London are so helpful and witty. Yesterday we took a short boat trip down the Thames. When the guide was describing the Tate Museum he casually mentioned, "it hosts modern art which is nothing more than rubbish, you pay pounds just to get out of the museum".

The USA team is doing fabulous and getting on the podium! We are seeing more athletes venturing out when their competition has ended. Peter joined us yesterday for lunch at the Proctor and Gamble family house. I have to mention again what a great support this is for families. Every night the section called the Man Cave (Gillette sponsored) hosts the swimming families to watch and cheer for Team USA. Because the event tickets have been so difficult and expensive to get, many people gather here to cheer in front of the big screen. Its almost like you are there!

Today we hope to do a bus tour and visit the Tower of London. There is so much history here.

Thank you again for all the messages from home and Go Team USA!

Robin VK

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Robin Vanderkaay is the mother of Rochester native Peter Vanderkaay who is on the US Olympic swim team. She is blogging for us during the Olympics.