A North Texan who competed at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal says that experience changed his life forever, and now he is helping Olympic hopefuls and others achieve their own dreams.
"Once an Olympian, always an Olympian," said Sammy Walker, of Rowlett, who competed in weightlifting. "That changed my life, it really did."
For years, Walker owned a barbecue place in Rowlett bearing his name, and he serves as president of the Southwest Chapter of the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association.
Raising money and speaking with students, Walker and other Olympians who call North Texas home help Olympic hopefuls and others achieve their own dreams.
"It's a great family, and everybody is there for everybody else," said Ryan Berube, who won a gold medal swimming in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
"Sammy is the first one in the room to introduce himself and to slap his hands into yours and to really channel the enthusiasm of all of us," Berube said.
Walker lives the Olympic spirit every day.
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When the Rowlett tornado ripped through his neighborhood last December, Walker rushed to help a neighbor trapped in the rubble.
After Walker and others rescued 73-year-old Neil Heslop, Walker rushed him to a nearby hospital.
But Heslop's injuries were too severe.
"He survived for 10 days, and it broke my heart the day that I found out that he died," Walker said.
The city later recognized Walker and another neighbor, Bruce Hargrave, for their actions that day.
"I believe I'm a good Samaritan, I believe I care about my fellow man and the Olympic spirit," Walker said. "I've done these things all my life and I really like helping people."
The 2016 Dorothy Franey Langkop Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19 to benefit the Southwest Chapter of the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association.
For more information visit the Southwest Olympians website.
