Hometown supports beloved Paralympian

Meet the town of Somerdale, N.J. Population: 5,000. The small borough is home to the fastest amputee and beloved track and field athlete, April Holmes, who holds world records in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter events.

After Holmes won the gold medal in the 100 in the 2008 Paralympic Games and returned to her hometown, there were plenty of admirers waiting for her.

"This one time I remember pulling out of my driveway with my mom," Holmes said. "A little girl and her mom were waiting across the street and came up to the car."

The young girl, whom Holmes estimated was about 8, placed a bouquet of flowers in the hands of the athlete.

"Her mother said she had saved her allowance to buy me flowers to congratulate me," Holmes said. "That is one thing I'll remember."

In addition to the small tokens of admiration fans have given her, Holmes also has her own welcoming committee when she returns from competitions.

"People get together and meet me at the airport with signs which is pretty nice," she said.

These are just some of the instances in which a small part of America has shown its support for its athletes.

Some tributes have been a little more unusual. Olympic gold medalist gymnast Shawn Johnson, of Des Moines, Iowa, for example, was honored at the Iowa State Fair in August. A statue carved out of butter was made in her likeness.

Holmes hasn't received that kind of treatment, but has had her share of fanfare. In addition to being the toast of Somerdale, Holmes also was embraced in her hometown of Philadelphia. The NBA's 76ers and the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers honored her at the Wachovia Center in 2008.

Part of the reason Holmes believes she has received such great support is that people are inspired by her story. Holmes slipped at a train station and her leg was amputated below her left knee. A former track standout in high school and at Norfolk State University, she was determined to keep up with her sport. She won a bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens and returned to the Games four years later in Beijing.

"They've all been great,'' Holmes said of her fans. "I think they're amazed that you can overcome something so drastic.''

Holmes said she has been very blessed that her community has supported her through the years. From going to the store, speaking at prisons or schools or in a corporate environment the Paralympian has received much praise from Americans.

"I spoke at a women's prison once and talked to an inmate," Holmes said. "She talked to me like she knew me her whole life, and other inmates came in and told me that they felt they could turn their lives around after hearing my story and they all thanked me."

However, the athlete emphasized that it is important for America to support Team USA every day and not just during Olympic years.

"It's a four-year commitment, a lifetime commitment," she said. "People tend to support us during season or during an Olympic year."

It is for this reason the U.S. Olympic Committee has launched its campaign, "America Supports Team USA." Americans have the opportunity to donate even a small amount of money to keep the athletes training and working to be the best in the world.

Click here to donate - because it takes more than just cheers, strength and desire to win, it takes you. Together we win.

Tags: Paralympics, Team USA, USA Track and Field, USOC