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Felix Sanchez and his motivation to win the 400-meter Hurdles

Aug 6, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Felix Sanchez (DOM) reacts after winning the mens 400m hurdles in 47.63 during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2012; London, United Kingdom; Felix Sanchez (DOM) reacts after winning the mens 400m hurdles in 47.63 during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I love this story.

I can draw a number of parallels to Sanchez because of my own relationship with my grandmother.

I still can't believe that it was five years ago this month that my grandmother passed. I was lucky to have for as many years as I did. She and my grandfather were very important figures in my life, so I get exactly where Sanchez is coming from.

The USC graduate, who now serves as a hurdles coach for Harvard-Westlake's track program, ran with a photo of the two of them pinned beneath his race bib, and "Abuela" - Spanish for "Grandmother" - written on his yellow spikes.

And after those shoes carried him to a no-doubt-about-it victory in 47.63 seconds Monday night for his second career gold at age 34 and the Dominican Republic's first medal of the 2012 Games, Sanchez pulled out that picture, placed it down on the track, knelt and tenderly kissed the image of the woman who raised him.

Being of Hispanic decent myself, I can relate to the influence that mothers and grandmothers can have on their sons and grandsons.

I understand Sanchez's motivation to win this year as much as I understand his failure to win four years ago.

Hispanic women have that presence over the men in their life.

There have been some great story lines in these Olympics, but this one is my favorite because it hits so close to home.

FIGHT ON! Felix!!