While there has been a lot of hype and media coverage about former N.C. State swimmer Cullen Jones representing the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics, another former NCSU swimmer, Dan Velez, will also be competing in Beijing this August as a member of the Puerto Rico swimming team. Friends, family and the public gathered at the University Club on Wednesday to honor Velez’s achievement.Velez’s former coach Brooks Teal, Athletic Director Lee Fowler and much of Velez’s family with the Wolfpack swimming program were present to send the 24-year-old off to China, but Velez could not help but think of someone who could not make it.During his senior year with State, Velez’s father Jose died of a sudden heart attack. Velez said the memory of his father has inspired him and pushed him to perform well.”If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have this chance,” Velez said. “I don’t even speak Spanish… but I want to do well for him.”Although he was born and raised in the United States, Velez’s father was a native of Puerto Rico, so he is allowed to compete for the U.S. territory in international competitions. He will be competing in the 100-meter breaststroke.   Unlike the United States swimming team, Puerto Rico does not require participants to qualify in competitive trials. Any eligible individual who meets the Olympic qualifying standards may compete in Beijing. For Velez, that standard was 01:03.72. In March, he qualified for the Olympics with a time of 01:03.63.”I’m not the type of guy to go crazy celebrating, but I was grinning ear to ear,” Velez said. “This is one of the most exciting things that’s ever happened to me.”Teal, Velez’s former coach, said competing in the Olympics is a particularly special achievement for swimmers.”The Olympic dream burns brightly in any sport, but I don’t think anything can match the way swimmers feel about the Olympics,” Teal said. Velez has been training with his former team at N.C. State. His former teammate, Stephen Mellor, said Velez set a standard of excellence in the breaststroke while he was with the Wolfpack.”He was the leader [of the team] then, and he’s a leader now,” Mellor said. “It’s no coincidence that our breaststroke remains strong. … They’ve benefited from his presence and watching him compete.”At the send off, Fowler presented Velez with 100 N.C. State pins to swap with Olympians from other countries. Teal said he is extremely happy with the individual who will be representing the program and the University.”He is also a great ambassador for N.C. State Swimming and for the University,” Teal said. “Everywhere he goes, he lets people know about the special things we have going on here.  I am very proud about the way he represents himself and represents us.”