People everywhere will be watching the Olympic games get underway July 27 in London.

In Arlington, residents have good reason to be proud of two of their own Olympic-style medal winners.

Sgt. Jimmy Salinas and Officer Barry Samples took the road to Austin last month and brought home gold and silver medals from the 33^rd Annual Texas Police Athletics Federal Games, a competition for law enforcement.

Samples won two gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter races. Salinas won three silver medals in the 200-, 400- and 1,500-meter races.

Salinas has been a Police Games competitor since 1987, three years after joining the Arlington Police Department. He said the games enhance physical fitness among officers, an essential part of police work.

"This competition allows me to have goals and objectives to achieve," said Salinas who, at age 50, trains harder to meet personal fitness goals when getting ready for a competition. "I don't always have to be the fastest or the strongest, (however) I want to always improve and perform better."

At age 51, Samples said he competes for overall good health. The 19-year veteran of the Arlington Police Department began participating in the Texas Police Games in 1996.

"I like to stay active and in good shape," said Samples, who was invited to compete for Olympic trials in 1980 while attending San Angelo State University on a track scholarship.

Salinas, an APD in-service training sergeant, has dubbed Samples a "lightening rod on the field." In the 200 meter race, Samples managed to outpace Salinas to win the gold medal this year.

Salinas now has his sights on getting ready for a local 5k in the fall and perhaps even a marathon in the winter. Samples said he is ready for the Olympic track and field competitions to start in London.

"I'll be watching," he said. "The Olympics are always a great motivator because it's something I can identify with. It inspires me to always do my best."

About the Texas Police Games

The Texas Police Games is sponsored by the Texas Police Athletic Federation to promote physical fitness and wellness for members of the law enforcement community of Texas and other states. About 1,900 Texas officers, including New Mexico, Arizona and California, took part in the 2012 games in Austin in June.

The games started in 1978 and have expanded to include firefighters and military personnel. Participants compete in everything from track, basketball and dominoes to bowling and power lifting. The games promote comradeship among peace officers. Winners are eligible to compete in the national police games held every two years. Learn more at www.TexasPoliceGames.org.