Daily Herald opinion: Time to root for local Olympians whose path to Paris began in the suburbs

Between the patriotic pageantry of the Parade of Nations and the emotion-filled footage of celebrated victories and crushing defeats, the Olympics offer a viewing experience that can be quite moving.

There’s something stirring about hearing the first strains of the national anthem played for an athlete atop the medal podium or seeing tears of joy from young competitors realizing the fulfillment of their dreams.

Pomp and passion abound. For those of us watching from home, there’s also pride — especially for local Olympians whose countless hours of practice unfolded on suburban soccer fields, running tracks, floor mats and volleyball courts.

Indeed among the nearly 600 members of Team USA in Paris now or heading there soon are suburbanites whose hard work and sacrifice earned them the chance to compete on the world stage.

The 2024 Opening Ceremonies are next Friday, and the Summer Games run through Aug. 11.

In between, we will be rooting for all of them.

We will follow Zach Ziemek, the Itasca native and 2011 Lake Park graduate who qualified for his third Olympic Games in decathlon.

We will cheer on Stevenson High School grad Paul Juda, who earned one of five spots on the men’s gymnastics team.

We will admire the feats of Felicia Stancil, a BMX rider from Grayslake North.

We will watch for Prospect High School graduate Erin Reese competing in the hammer throw, Mount Prospect’s David Kendziera in hurdles, Tori Franklin of Downers Grove South in the women's triple jump and Park Ridge’s Filip Dolegiewicz in fencing.

We will check out soccer matches, where Casey Krueger of Naperville and Korbin Albert, who has ties to Grayslake, will compete for the women, while Gabriel Slonina joins the men.

And we will keep up with the men’s and women’s volleyball teams, both stocked with suburban players. On the men’s side are two players from Wheaton: St. Francis alum Jeff Jendryk and Wheaton Warrenville South grad Tommy Jaeschke. Playing for the women’s team are Lauren Carlini of Aurora, Kelsey Robinson Cook from Bartlett, Dana Rettke from Riverside and Jordyn Poulter, who was born in Naperville.

There are other local athletes heading to Paris as well.

For some, the journey to the City of Lights may have started with youth leagues or suburban high school teams. As they compete, they carry the hopes and support of those who nurtured their talent, embraced their dreams and watched them grow over the years into star athletes.

We add our good wishes as well to Team USA and our hometown favorites: Travel safely, give it your best and savor every second.

We will be watching, cheering and celebrating along with you — even if it’s just from the comfort of our couches. And if you make it to the medal podium, with your hand over your heart and the American flag raised behind you, we might just be wiping away tears of our own.