"When I finally did it during, at nationals, in June, in the timeframe, I was happy, satisfied, and it was a big relief for me," said Hanany.

Hanany made a failed run at the French team in 2004, but in talking to KFOX on Wednesday, he said he realizes that now is his time.

"I'm happy. I'm going to be able to compete at the best level, and I know I'm going to make it happen in a good way," said Hanany.

While Hanany said he's proud to represent his country, he says he's equally proud to be representing El Paso, along with his university.

"It's good to represent UTEP at the international level, because you represented all the time at the NCAA level, but it's good to represent at the international level," Hanany told KFOX.

The expectations are high, as Hanany is considered a medal contender, but the locally trained athlete is modest in his Olympic ambitions.

"I want to go to the finals first. I want to get to the final, after that, that is already going to be a big accomplishment, after I make it to the final I will try to set a new goal for the final," said Hanany.

Next time you see Hanany he will be in front of thousands of people at "The Bird's Nest" in Beijing, with his first jump on Aug. 17th.