By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald

Friends, fans and family gathered Saturday at Allan Yorke Park to give a warm welcome home to U.S. Olympian Melanie Roach.

The 33-year-old Roach competed in the Beijing, China, Olympics Aug. 10 in women’s weightlifting. She finished sixth, lifting 193 kilograms or 425.5 pounds. She broke her personal record and set a United States record in the 53 kilogram division.

With her warm smile, Roach attracted fans and worldwide media attention as the oldest member of the four-woman U.S. team and the only one with three children.

“The entire experience from the moment I arrived to the day I left was exactly as I hoped it would be,” Roach said. “Nothing could prepare me for how great this was.”

Roach said she performed “my all-time best in the biggest meet of my career. I embraced each moment. It is what I had been waiting for and I knew it could be my final competition.”

She was within reach of making the Olympic team in 2000 when a back injury sent her to the sidelines. Despite personal challenges - including her 5-year-old son, Drew, being diagnosed with autism when he was 3 - Roach pursued her dream.

Roach said the entire experience and wearing her Olympic jacket, “means so much to me. It took us so long, so many years of hard work. There is more to the Olympics than winning. I watched people experience winning and defeat. How people handle defeat was very inspiring.”

Roach said she plans to spend time now raising her children and operating her business, Roach Gymnastics in Sumner. She has been asked to give a motivational speech at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif., and work with children at the center.

But the Olympic dream may not be over.

“I’m going to make my family first,” Roach said. “We actually get to eat dinner together now. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to go back. I’m going to stay in shape.”

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.