It was the summer of 2008 when David Neville III dove headfirst across the finish line in rainy Beijing and landed in the arms of the American public.
Northwest Indiana Olympic track and field fans, in particular, were in no hurry to let go of the 2002 Merrillville grad.
There were guest appearances, autograph signings, even a student convocation at his high school.
The forever-humble Neville had earned a bronze medal in the 400 meters (44.80) and won gold with the record-setting 1,600 relay (2:55.39).
His relay split was a 44.16.
But Neville will be a spectator for the upcoming London Games July 27 to August 12, with memories galore and TV remote in hand.
"I didn't make the team this year. I actually got injured two weeks before the season started," he said from his home in Santa Clarita, Calif., near Los Angeles. "All year, I've kinda been laboring through that."
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It's called Achilles bursitis, the result of extensive training and competing on track surfaces around the globe. There is no prescription or cure available at the corner CVS or Walgreens.
"Just rest and some laser treatments that I'm getting," Neville said.
His best time in the 400 this outdoor season had been 45.99, but during the first round of the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., Neville placed seventh in his heat with a 46.70.
A return to the Olympics would've been thrilling but this is a young man whose priorities are straight as a highway median. He's been blessed as a professional athlete, knows it, but remains completely devoted to wife Arial, a Merrillville grad, and his music ministry.
Beijing was a great time but Neville says if you immerse yourself in memories and live off that, your drive and motivation will suffer.
No Olympics. No big deal. There will be others.
"I really did desire to make it back, again, and trained really hard throughout the season," Neville said. "When I got injured, I knew it would be tough to get back but always believed it was possible.
"As long as God has given me the ability to run, I'm going to continue to do that. Nobody knows how long that will be possible, but I've always had the desire to make it through at least three Olympics."
Few in the sport would dare bet against the former high school state champ and Indiana University All-American achieving that lofty goal.
More importantly, Neville hasn't changed and that only adds to his wide appeal.
"I'm still the same guy that I was before, the same guy people knew when I was in high school and lived in the Merrillville area," he said. "My wife helps me out a lot with everything and with life and I continue to keep my faith in God.
"I try not to let track and field make me who I am. That's a portion of my life, but that's not the reason why I'm living."
And those who know him are better for it.
This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Contact him at al.hamnik@nwi.com