Good luck to those going for the gold

From the time they were very little, there was a feeling they could make it big in the field of athletic endeavor.

By the time they finished their first swimming lesson, they were good enough to teach the next class. They won all the foot races, handily. In gymnastics class, they made magnificent twists, turns and leaps and landed on the mat with perfect balance and grace. They could kick, shoot or strike a ball with skill that made people take notice.

They knew they were better than most. And with encouragement and confidence, they dreamed of being the very best.

The best in the whole world.

Now, they are on the verge of making that dream come true.

They are U.S. Olympians, in Beijing, going for the gold.

Some of these world-class athletes hail from your own community.

They include Jorge Torres of Wheeling (track and field); Candace Parker of Naperville and former Stevenson High School star Tamika Catchings (women's basketball); Jamie Schroeder of Wilmette (rowing); Brian McBride of Arlington Heights (soccer); Matt Grevers of Lake Forest (swimming) and Sean Rooney of Wheaton (volleyball).

Their hope, of course, is to stand on the premier spot on the medals stand, bending their heads to make way for the ribbon necklace holding the gold medal. But even if it's a silver or bronze award, it's still great recognition of international excellence in athletics.

Just getting to the Olympic stage is an extraordinary accomplishment, considering the grueling rehearsals and auditions it took to get there. It is not good enough to be a naturally gifted athlete. That talent has to be nurtured and maintained at the highest level. This takes hours and hours of practice, a willingness to take advice and instruction, a mental and physical toughness that is needed to endure the exhaustion of training and competing day after day, and to dash any doubt of not being good enough. When you hit the wall, you have to go over it, again and again.

These athletes have done this. And they've come to the place to which only the best in all the nations are allowed to compete - the Olympics.

There has been much negative news associated with these Olympics that formally begin today. The smog. Censorship by the host, the People's Republic of China, and a renewed focus on human rights violations in this country. One can only hope the Olympics, watched by the whole world, can help advance freedom in this communist nation.

But for the Olympic athletes, the games are intensely positive. They are eager to show the world - and their fellow competitors - just how good they are when it is their time to shine.

We hope they shine brightly. Bright as gold.