Tonight in Rio athletes from aroud the world will unite as they begin the final step in a lifelong dream: to compete in the Olympics.
And even amongst all the worries of the Zika virus or venue readiness, it is certain that the positive energy of competitive hopefuls will shine through.
One of the stars poised for the chance to dazzle began her journey here in northeast Georgia -- and for Jenny Arthur, who will compete as a member of the United States' weightlifting team, it is the culmination of countless hours of work, determination and the refusal to accept anything less than success.
A born competitor, Arthur blossomed into a weightlifting phenom while a student at Chestatee High and quickly rocketed up the ranks of the sport, eventually moving to Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2012 in order to train at the US Olympic Center.
"It just felt right as soon as I started lifting," said Arthur, who now measures 5-foot-5 and roughly 165 pounds and has set weight-class US records in the two main Olympic lifts: snatch (106 kg -- roughly 233 pounds) and clean and jerk (138 kg -- 304 pounds). "I come from an athletic family and I definitely had some God-given talent, but it was more about work and technique. I gravitated to it because of the challenge."
Even though the sport came easy at first, it did not remain that way in Colorado, and Arthiur briefly considered walking away from the ultimate goal.
"In 2013 I was packed and ready to come home; I was ready to give it up," Arthur said. "There were times I would cry to my parents at night. But, luckily I have very supportive family and friends. And when it gets really tough, you just have to remember why you do it. And I have a vision, and I believe in that vision and myself and the plan God has for me."
And now Arthur is on the last leg of that voyage -- though she will not begin competition until later in the Games (Friday, Aug. 12). But you can guarantee that the Gainesville native will make the most of the interim, focusing on the task at hand and making final preparations for what she hopes will be more than simple competition.
"My goal for Rio is to podium (finish top three)," said Arthur.
Considering what she has already accomplished in a young career, who would doubt it?
