The sands of time moved quickly for Martin Reader on the beach volleyball courts at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.
And he’s been on another whirlwind tour during a brief return visit home to Comox, fitting a flurry of speaking engagements and media appointments into his schedule before returning to Toronto on Oct. 10 to begin a new season of training at national team headquarters.
His last appearance before flying out of the Valley will be Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the Prime Chophouse and Wine Bar in Courtenay.
“It’ll be fun,” said Reader, adding it will be an intimate setting, with only 24 seats available. Most of those are already gone, but anyone wishing to attend can e-mail him at martinjreader@gmail.com.
Tickets are $60 with proceeds going to Comox Valley KidSport. People are welcome to arrive at 6 p.m. with a meal at 6:30 p.m. followed by presentations by KidSport and Reader. A social will follow at 9 p.m. with everyone welcome to hang out and chat with Reader.
“It’s all about sharing the Olympic experience,” said Reader, who along with partner Josh Binstock tied for 17th in their Olympics debut.
Reader’s itinerary included a speech to Dundee Wealth clients and families on Tuesday. “Robert Mulrooney partnered with me to come back to the Valley. He’s a big supporter of sports. There were some kids there and … if I can connect with a single child and inspire them to pursue their dreams, whatever that is, then I consider this a success.”
Reader connected with more young athletes at the Comox Valley Boxing Club on Wednesday and at Marc St. Jules’ new Living Room fitness training boutique on Thursday.
“The Olympics can seem so far-fetched … this beast in another country. We have kids setting goals for something they might feel is unattainable,” Reader said.
“I started my Olympic dream right here in the Valley when I was 10 years old, and I had no one to connect to. I really want to bridge that gap and talk to as many kids as possible.”
Reader was also enjoying time with his family while back home. His mom and dad were with him at his Dundee Wealth presentation, where one of his points was the importance of parents supporting their kids.
“My parents have done so much in terms of believing in me. When I was 18 and made a life choice they trusted … that I wanted it badly enough that I would apply myself as best as I could.”
Reader recalls he was 21 when he received an invitation to play beach volleyball in Brazil. “I just told my folks, ‘This is it’ and there was not a single doubt or hesitation on their part, just, ‘OK, what can we do to support you?’ That was the game changer,” he said.
Along with sharing his Games’ experience (he hopes to return to the Valley in December and make presentations at local schools), Reader says having “Olympian” on his resume is opening new doors for him. He is starting a personal training and nutrition business in Toronto.
Reader eschewed sightseeing during his three weeks in London, choosing to focus solely on the Olympics. “I can always go back. Big Ben will still be there.”
He said it was a testament to Comox Valley’s (once official) designation as The Recreation Capital of Canada that there were three local athletes at the Olympics. Although he Twittered both cyclist Geoff Kabush and runner Cameron Levins, the three never did meet up in London.
Reader did find time to take in some other Olympic events such as tennis and swimming and got to hang out with the Canadian women’s basketball team. He said watching the Olympics on TV is one thing, but seeing them live is “a totally different atmosphere.”
It’s an atmosphere Reader hopes to once again experience first-hand in 2016 at the Summer Games in Rio.
