Utah's Amy Palmer is really a home town hero, especially to folks to Tooele County.

They have contributed some $25,000 to her Olympic effort -- money to send her coach, husband, and parents to Sydney to watch her compete in the hammer throw.

Palmer says she proudly represents the USA, Utah and Tooele County.

Amy Christiansen Palmer was born in Tooele and raised in Grantsville. She and her husband, Rick, live in the town of Erda.

She says Tooele County is the type of community that really cares and supports its own.

Amy Palmer/Olympic Athlete: "GROWING UP, JUST THE CLOSE FAMILY THAT I'VE HAD AND THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE. AND NOW I'M HERE AT THE WORLD CLASS LEVEL AND THEY'RE STILL SUPPORTING ME. THEY'VE BEEN BEHIND ME 100 PERCENT."

And so has her husband, Rick.

Amy Palmer/Olympic Athlete: "HE'S HAD TO SACRIFICE TIME AND BEING WITH ME AND BEING ABLE TO GO PLACES AND DO THINGS BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF TRAINING AND TRAVELING. HE'S JUST, HE'S BEEN THERE FOR ME."

Rick works in the family's construction business and has put off his college education to support Amy's dream of going to the Olympics. The two were high school sweethearts.

Rick Palmer/Amy's husband: "OBVIOUSLY SHE'S NOT BAD ON THE EYES AT ALL, AND SHE WAS ATHLETIC. AND WE'D WRESTLE AROUND A LOT, PROBABLY MORE THAN WE SHOULD HAVE."

The two 25-year-olds hope to have children someday. But for now, their pet goat Audie is the baby of the family.

Amy Palmer/Olympic Athlete: "SHE'S JUST LIKE OUR LITTLE KID. SHE JUST FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE AND SHE KNOWS WHEN I'M COMING OUT TO GIVE HER TREATS."

Amy says Rick adds the balance and perspective she needs to focus on training and competition. But Rick admits, she is far more calm during competition that he is.

Rick Palmer/Amy's husband: "IT'S REALLY NERVE WRACKING, AND THE CLOSER I GET TO THE COMPETITION AND THE MORE I KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, THE HARDER IT IS TO DEAL WITH IT. BUT IT'S EXCITEMENT."

At 5 foot 11 inches, 220 pounds, Amy Palmer is a powerhouse of strength, speed and force.

She is confident she can bring home a medal. And although winning would be a dream come true, Rick says it's not everything.

Rick Palmer/Amy's husband: "SHE'S AN ATHLETE ON ONE HAND AND A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A WOMAN AND A WIFE AND SHE DOES SOME GREAT THINGS. SHE COULD STOP BEING AN ATHLETE AND STILL BE WORLD CLASS, YOU KNOW."