In a ceremony infused with hometown pride, six South Florida Olympians were presented with keys to Miami-Dade County. The athletes, who recently showcased their talents at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, were recognized by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in a ceremony held Downtown. The keys are a symbol of the county's honor for their Olympic achievements and a representation of their ties to the community.

One of the honored athletes was Bam Adebayo, a star player for the Miami Heat, who clinched gold in the U.S. Men’s Basketball team. "Today feels great to be here, honored, to be given the key to the county, it’s such a surreal feeling. Everywhere I go, I’m going to rep. Dade County, 305. Put them on the map, whether it’s international or here in the state," Adebayo expressed in a statement obtained by WSVN. Joining Adebayo, was Twanisha Terry known for her gold-winning run in the women’s 4×400-meter relay, who assured, “A lot of people look at certain parts of Miami and think it can’t happen but hard work and determination changes a lot of those narratives," according to a WSVN interview.

Pride was particularly palpable for Daniella Ramirez, who returned from Paris with a silver medal in the artistic swimming team event, a first for the U.S. team in two decades. In an emotional statement to NBC Miami, Ramirez remarked, "There's nothing I want more than to be honored in my hometown and to really represent Miami-Dade County really well, and it feels really, really good to go back to my roots."

The ceremony wasn't just a gathering of champions, but a draw for community inspiration. High school athletes looked on as their alumni, like Terry, reaffirmed the value of bearing positive examples for the coming generations. "It's just an amazing feeling being able to be a positive example for my former high school, the athletes back here you know, and the generations to come," Terry told NBC Miami. Also among the honored were Sarah Newberry Moore, a sailor from Miami Yacht Club, water polo goalie Ashleigh Johnson, and judoka Angelica Delgado.

The athletes, in their individual disciplines, have not only lifted the name of Miami-Dade County on the global platform but have also set their sights on future glory, specifically Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. According to remarks by Adebayo, Terry, Ramirez, and Moore to both WSVN and NBC Miami, their athletic journeys are far from over, indicating an unwaning passion for their sports and their community.