Every four years I get to watch one of my favorite sporting events, the summer Olympics. I guess that is because of my love for track and field; in particular, the shot put. It was an event I competed in back in high school and college and something I still compete in many years later, in Masters Events across the nation.

My local celebrity has afforded me the opportunity to meet and train with some of the giants in the sport: Adam Nelson, two-time Olympic silver medalist, and two-time world champion Reese Hoffa. Both are friends and both are competing for gold in Beijing.

Getting to know these elite athletes has been a thrill and an education. They have inspired my development as a Masters shot putter, and their skill is even more remarkable.

Two years ago, Adam (left) and his wife Laci moved to Virginia to pursue academic dreams, so most of our communication now is via phone and emails. He gave me my first pair of "real" shot put shoes, making the transition to throwing again less painful and costly. Adam also gave me a custom-made competition shot put from Japan.

Reese (right) still trains in Athens, Ga., at UGA, under the watchful eye of throws coach guru Don Babbitt. Reese's growth in the sport since we first met in 2004 has been impressive. Two world championships -- one indoor, one outdoor -- with a career best of 73 feet, seven-and-one-quarter inches.

In the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Adam was denied the gold medal when another competitor tied his mark in the sixth round. Ties are broken by the best second throw. Adam only had one legal throw; another heart-breaking silver medal. A year later he would win the 2005 World Outdoor championships: finally, a gold on the world stage.

Reese also made the team in 2004, but didn?t make it out of the qualifying round. So Reese never got his chance to throw for Olympic gold in the finals. Since his 2004 disappointment, he has won two world titles and is set to show the world what he can do in Beijing.

This will probably be Adam's last chance at Olympic gold. He is 33 and is set to be a father and start a career that doesn't involve throwing 16-pound cannon balls. Reese is 30 and could make a push for London in 2012.

Two great champions, two great people, but only one gold medal. One of them will win it. I just can't wait to watch it all unfold in front of my eyes.

Thanks, Adam and Reese, for making it seem like I am there with you!

Paul Ossmann

• • Five consecutive Georgia State Games Gold medals in his age group for the shot put.
• • Won the first gold medal issued at the inaugural SouthEast Sports Festival, and won the gold again at Florida State University on August 2, 2008.
• • Finished second in national competition in 2005 and 2006, and third in 2007.
• • Trained with two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson and two-time world champion Reese Hoffa, both of whom competed in the 2008 Olympiad in Beijing.
• • School record holder at John F. Kennedy High School in Willingboro, N.J.
• • Was trained in high school by Bill Lewis, father of Olympian Carl Lewis.
• • Lettered freshman year at Ohio University in the hammer throw.
• • Achieved a personal best of 50 feet, four inches at the 2008 Georgia Games.
• • Recognized for the second best throw in the world for 2008 in his age group (47-54).