If it seems like Simon Whitfield's having too much fun, he probably is.

The 37-year-old was the centre of attention on Monday night as a small idea turned into a gathering of hundreds for an Olympic send-off for the veteran triathlete.

Three Point Motors hosted the group ride, dinner and auction, which included three Victoria police motorcycle officers, who escorted the throng of spandex-clad riders on an hour-long tour around Victoria and along the waterfront.

B次元官网网址淭he (cops) were talking to me, the cyclists were talking to me, I just love being around this community of people,B次元官网网址� Whitfield said.

The idea for the event was WhitfieldB次元官网网址檚, to use the excitement of the Olympics to throw an auction and raise money for KidSport.

B次元官网网址�(Whitfield) contacted us about 10 days ago, saying B次元官网网址楬ey why donB次元官网网址檛 I do something for KidSport?B次元官网网址� It was short notice, but look at the response,B次元官网网址� said KidSport board member Steve Turner. B次元官网网址淲e had $2,000 in donations just from the group ride, the auction hadnB次元官网网址檛 even started.B次元官网网址�

In the KidSport world, $2,000 will help nearly seven kids register for a season of sport, as each grant is $300. The remainder of the donations were still trickling in on Wednesday morning, but were estimated to be at least $3,500.

Speaking of the task at hand, Whitfield said heB次元官网网址檚 not too nervous on the eve of his third Olympic Games. B次元官网网址淚 have two kids, thatB次元官网网址檚 what makes me nervous now.B次元官网网址�

If anything, the distraction is a blessing, said one of his coaches, former marathon Olympian Jon Brown.

B次元官网网址淭he longer heB次元官网网址檚 distracted, the better I think it is. (Whitfield) just needs to continue doing what heB次元官网网址檚 doing and not think about what he has to do for as long as he can.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he way I see it,B次元官网网址� Whitfield said, B次元官网网址渙n Aug. 8 (the day after the race) IB次元官网网址檒l be in a park playing with my kids, whether or not I have a shiny object around my neck.B次元官网网址�

Whitfield also tipped his hat towards his post-Olympic career, suggesting that he'll enter longer distance triathlons as early as this summer.

When asked about being the Olympic flag bearer, Whitfield thought his chances were slim.

"I'm not scheduled to be in Ottawa, so I don't think (it'll be me)."

Whitfield will train in Dundas, Ont., before flying to London later this month.