"Hope Wins" iconic Thunder parade photo combining tragedy and triumph

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — It is already being called an iconic photo. "Hope Wins" is now displayed inside the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

The powerful picture honors the Oklahoma City Thunder's first NBA Championship, a historic and powerful milestone that comes in the same year as the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

"Just honored that it touched so many people that way, and I'm just happy to tell part of that story," Jimmy Do, Thunder Photographer, said.

A story spanning 30 years was captured in a picture, bridging Oklahoma City's worst day with its best.

"What's more important to me is that that photo is symbolic of the city, you know, the resiliency and that we persevered no matter what," Do said.

"Hope Wins" shows MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, arms stretched wide, atop a bus during the championship parade with the 9:03 gate in the background.

That gate symbolizes the moment after the 1995 bombing when Oklahoma City's recovery and healing began.

Do never imagined his photo getting the recognition it has.

"It's been kind of touching for me because a lot of people share their the stories how that have been affected them, how the photo affected them," Do said.

Now, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is happy to showcase it.

"We felt it deserved a special place in this chapter," Kari Watkins, Executive Director at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, said. "I think we can show people that good always triumphs over evil, and working together is always the best solution."

The comparison captures the journey through a day of darkness and years of light, and is proof that hope wins.

"Take a moment to think about what happened here 30 years ago," Do said. "Take a moment to think about what has happened since then, the rebuilding process, the vision to come back, you know, the bounce back is unbelievable. The fact that one picture can tell that story, that message is awesome."

Prints of the photo are available in the memorial's store.