The celebration started in the morning on the campus lawn. About 150 people patiently waited out a procession of politicians and proclamations basically thanking Clay "for sharing with the world what a quiet kid from Kane'ohe can do."

Clay was finally introduced by Windward Chancellor Angela Meixell. At 5 feet 10 and in heels, she was the same height as the guest of honor.

Clay's rise as the "little big man" of the decathlon has been a surprise to almost everyone outside Hawai'i. NBC focused its feature coverage on Tom Pappas, the U.S. favorite until Clay blew by him to win the U.S. Trials. The network even spelled Clay's name wrong on its graphics.

In Hawai'i, everybody knew his name, something Clay is still trying to understand.

"I wasn't expecting this to be this big of an issue," the 1998 Castle High graduate said yesterday, awed by the attention.

"Thank you very much for all the support. I can't explain to you how much it helps me to know that I've got an entire state of my own back home supporting me while I'm so far away."

Clay touched Hawai'i's heart because he could have been almost anyone's son.

He packed spectacular talent into a relatively compact, mixed-race frame. His childhood was not idyllic. He achieved his dream by working tirelessly, despite suffering from asthma, and receiving relentless support from an ever-growing 'ohana.

Anyone, even 6-year-old Jayden Mouawangyee, can relate to that. The Kane'ohe Elementary first-grader hung on father Charles' back waiting to meet Clay yesterday, in a line that lingered much longer than the planned hour.

When Clay was competing in Athens, Jayden and his 2-year-old brother, Logan, were glued to the TV, struck by the flags and the Hawai'i guy with the extreme talent in an extreme event.

Jayden could see himself in the decathlon, particularly the sprints. "I like to run around everything at school," he said.

Valery Ishimoto, 12, found inspiration in her cousin Bryan's quest to be the best. Clay said yesterday that he has focused on winning gold at the 2008 Olympics for the past four years. The goal will remain the same for the next four.

What happened in Athens was simply "God's planning and timing for me," Clay said.

"He's an amazing person," Ishimoto said.

"He set his mind to do something and he did it to the best of his abilities."

The line to see Clay was dominated by adults, eager to meet a man who had become such a "wonderful role model," according to retired schoolteacher Apolonia Stice.

Autographs were popular, but it seemed like much of the Windward campus simply came to see an old friend.

Clay left last night for Arkansas, where he has been asked to take part in a Wal-Mart promotional project. He and wife Sarah, who live on her teaching salary, hope more endorsements follow. The price of chasing gold is steep, but the rewards endure.

Rafer Johnson won the silver in decathlon in 1956 and gold in 1960. To this day, what he remembers most is the "good feeling" it gave him "to find out what it takes to succeed."

"It can be a difficult process to be the best you can be," Johnson says.

"It's not always an easy road, but when you travel it and you've given everything you can possibly give it, and you know that — and only you can know — and you find some success at the end, it's a pretty pleasing feeling.

"You will carry that with you off the field as well."

Clay knows he will carry it for the rest of his life — especially the next four years.

"I really appreciate all the prayers and support," he told his Ho'olaule'a 'ohana yesterday.

"Hopefully we'll be doing this again in 2008 with a different color medal."