These moments capture our hearts and make us proud of our country.
We watch as the kid we grew up next door to accomplishes something many of us could only dream of.
These are our hometown heroes.
That moment when you're on the edge of your seat...
The end is near...
Gold is within reach...
That moment when tears of victory well up...
Henry Perea, Fresno County Vice Chair: "When the US women's soccer team won the gold. Just the way they won. The dignity and class, the way it catapulted the sport of soccer in the United States was amazing."
Some moments jump-started legendary careers, especially in boxing... Just look at Mohammed Ali.
Sheriff Margaret Mims remembers that magical moment in '96, when he lit the Olympic flame.
"Just a good example of overcoming adversity, when he lit that flame, it went up that ramp and lit the torch. Even though his hands shook, you could tell it took a lot of physical effort."
Louise Mandrell, who's starring in Calamity Jane at Roger Rocka's, loved Michael Phelps winning gold in Beijing.
"Anything Michael Phelps did because I watched every moment of him swimming. He brought our country together in a sport that we normally don't watch and made us proud just to be an American."
And what about the dominance of the greatest basketball team ever assembled?
Ryan Jacobsen, Fresno County Farm Bureau: "Growing up as a kid, that was high times, 12-years-old, playing basketball. Loved watching that team. So many fantastic player, really enjoyed watching them."
But Congressman Jim Costa says our first dream team came at the '84 games in Los Angeles in gymnastics.
Rep. Jim Costa, (D) Fresno: "To see Mary Lou Retton and her fab team, the first fab team beat the eastern countries, obviously was very exciting."
The question now is... Where will the big moment come from at the London games?
A lot of people think it'll be provided by Michael Phelps once again... Or even from valley native boxer Jose Ramirez.
TXT 24
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