Simon Latimer could hardly sleep in the days before the London 2012 Olympics but expects to be much more relaxed this time round.
The former Dunedin man has been confirmed as a diving judge for the second time at an Olympic Games and will again be the only Kiwi on the panel in Rio next month.
He was the youngest on the judging panel in London four years ago and nothing has changed in that regard for the 34-year-old from Auckland.
Latimer has just returned from judging the US Olympic trials in Indianapolis. He has adjudicated at more than 30 international events since 2010, including the Delhi and Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
He was in Rio in February for a test event and could feel the excitement among people about hosting the Games.
"I'm really looking forward to the carnival atmosphere. The people are so friendly and there's a real buzz about having the Olympics in their city.
"That was the feeling I got in February and it will be even more so for the Olympics.''
Latimer has a full-time job as parliamentary adviser to the Ombudsman but still manages to find time to sit on the Diving New Zealand board and New Zealand technical diving committee.
He was a competitive diver from 1994-2002 and attended a World Cup and two Junior World Championships.
He took up judging in 2004 to stay involved with the sport after being forced to give up competing due to back stress fractures.
It is the first time since Barcelona in 1992 that diving will take place in an outdoor pool and Latimer said that had a way of evening the field out.
"There are weather conditions to contend with - rain, storms.
"It always makes the competition quite interesting for the athletes and it's a fun thing to be a part of.''
Latimer expected a tough tussle between Russian and Chinese divers in the men's events and was excited New Zealand was sending its first diver to an Olympics since 1992, Aucklander Elizabeth Cui.
He may have an extensive CV but there was no guarantee of securing an Olympics spot, Latimer said.
"There are only 23 judges, so you never really know if you're going to get selected.
"It's an exciting time being at an Olympic event with all the fanfare and excitement.
"Nothing compares to helping make Olympic champions.''
Going to London had helped settle the nerves for next month's event, he said.
"In London, I was really nervous. I could hardly sleep the few nights before.
"This time I'm much more relaxed, having been there and done it.''
Latimer leaves for the Games on August 2.
