Let the games begin: Las Vegas competitors at the Olympic Games

The world’s greatest athletes are in London for the 2012 Olympics, which officially begin with Friday’s opening ceremonies.

Most Nevadans will be rooting for Americans to bring home the gold over the next few weeks, although the state’s various immigrant communities, from Mexicans to Filipinos to Eastern Europeans, have healthy allegiances to their homelands. The Summer Games bring out national pride.

All Nevadans, however, can take a rooting interest in six American athletes with Silver State ties:

– Amanda Bingson, a Silverado High School graduate and two-time UNLV All-American, will compete in the hammer throw.

– Jacob Dalton, a Fernley native and Sparks resident, is a member of the men’s gymnastics team.

– Connor Fields, a Henderson native and former Green Valley High School student, is a gold-medal favorite in BMX racing.

– Becky Holliday, a Sparks native and former state champion at Reed High School, will compete in the pole vault.

– Michael Hunter of Las Vegas is a heavyweight boxer.

– Khadevis Robinson, an assistant coach for the UNLV track team, will compete in the men’s 800 meter run.

These athletes have worked most of their lives for the opportunity to represent their country on the world’s biggest sporting stage. They’ve made Nevadans proud in realizing a goal most people wouldn’t dare dream of. We wish them success in their pursuit of Olympic glory.